any tips on removing old rubber based stake pocket tie downs?

[fartblossom]

This kind?

There is no "pulling" them back out. Rubber is old and expanded.

[michael bustamante]

maybe a comealong and a low tree branch? or a hook in the ceiling of the garage?

[sboris]

I would squirt some dish soap all around the edges and maybe clamp some vise grips? or similar to it and wiggle the piss out of it to maybe loosen before the comealong..

[67swb72klb]

Wd40

[bretcopsey]

Is there are nut on the bottom that can be backed off? Put a large screwdriver through the eye and a socket on the bottom. The stud will probably break if the nut doesn't come loose. Either way, that should relive the compression on the rubber and allow them to pop out.

If the rubber has hardened and is retaining its compressed shape after that, maybe cut away the expanded portion from the bottom with a sharp utility knife?

[71swb4x4]

I would try to screw the eye off first. If that doesn't work cut the eye off. Then the top flat chrome piece will come off. If necessary you can cut it apart with a knife at that point.

[Stocker]

All good advice above. I've fought the same battle, and found no easy method. Unscrew & disassemble what you can, then lubricate, wiggle, and pull. Hmmm, that doesn't sound right....

After trying everything else, you may need to drive a chisel into the rubber, twist & pull and remove broken pieces of rubber, then repeat & repeat until it's all out. A bit of elbow grease and not very elegant, but it will work. Good luck.

[lil hoodlum]

I had a few of those stupid things in my stake pockets as well. If I recall correctly, I had to use an electric drill to break one up in chunks to remove it. Another I was able to get it correctly position in the stake pocket and a legnth of cord secured to it to draw it out.

I hated those things in there.


Keith

[cdowns]

me i'd take a pot of boiling water and pour it on to loosen up the rubba

[fartblossom]

Thank you all. Looks like chopping up the rubber is the best option for me. I will try the drill and chisel options first, then move on to boiling water, sulfuric acid, blow torch, gasoline, and gamma radiation.

[LPoole]

Originally Posted by 67swb72klb

wd40

x2 !

[Acorn]

I used a combination of the methods mentioned above.
But the easiest and quickest way I got one out was:
1. Get something that is expensive and has great sentimental value to your wife.
2. Load it in your truck
3. Use the tie downt to attach your strap.
4. Stars driving down the road. It should pop right out of there in about 20 miles or so!

Stupid things. They hold when you don't want them to, and don't hold when you want them to...

[fartblossom]

Originally Posted by Acorn

I used a combination of the methods mentioned above.
But the easiest and quickest way I got one out was:
1. Get something that is expensive and has great sentimental value to your wife.
2. Load it in your truck
3. Use the tie downt to attach your strap.
4. Stars driving down the road. It should pop right out of there in about 20 miles or so!

Stupid things. They hold when you don't want them to, and don't hold when you want them to...

That's awesome Acorn. I will try that in between gasoline and gamma radiation.