Tow Hook removal

[Mike E]

Probably a stupid question but how do the front tow hooks come off if I were to install the OEM Brush Guard? Are they just bolts into the frame or is there a nut behind the bumper that I have to get to? Thanks!

[Mike E]

Probably a stupid question but how do the front tow hooks come off if I were to install the OEM Brush Guard? Are they just bolts into the frame or is there a nut behind the bumper that I have to get to? Thanks!

[x-humm]

Have fun...

http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/2706067735/m/6...501030731#6501030731

[Sewie]

Yes and yes. Hope you have some time set aside.

[Hummer H2]

It depends when your vehicle was built. The newest ones (the past month) arriving to the dealers have a T-25 Torx Head bolt right behind the hook bolt. If you have that you can take off your tow hooks in a matter of minutes.

[fourfourto]

That bolt doesnt do anything does it ?.Is the bolt in the same place ?.If it was couldnt you just drill out from front.It would be easyer than taking off bumper.You could always tap bumper out and install a allen or torx bolt.

[Hummer H2]

I was saying that the Torx bolt is on the front side of the tow hook base, so you don't have to take off your bumper anymore.

On the old style there was no exposed bolts anywhere, and without and directions you would never know that there was a bolt that sits inside the frame. You would have to guess where it is and drill through a 1/2" plate of steel if you guess wrong.

[DANBURY]

If this is one of the older ones just put the large bolt back through the back piece that holds the tow hooks and hit it back and forth with a rubber hammer and this will loosen it up and it will spin off.

[timgco]

So I just went into the garage and looked at both H3's. Her's has no torx bolt and mine does.

Here's my Q:

If I want to pull the brushguard off to put a different one on, how do I do it?

Are my going to just take out the two bolts and reaplace or do I have to pull the whole bumper off?

[Mike E]

I dont see any torx screw on the front so it must be the old style. well, thanks! Looks like I need to set aside some time when I get ready to install the brush guard!

[StarsnBars]

I just put a Aries brushguard on my H3 today. Well I tell ya, about halfway thru unbolting the bumper I said theres got to be a better way.. There was. I eyeballed the tow hook bracket right between the bolt holes and drilled (1/4inch ) out the retaining clip. It was a piece of cake. Bracket came off, Brushguard was installed in minutes. With the tow hook installed you cant even see the small hole now. The D ring pretty much covers it. The directions I got for unbolting the bumper and removing the wheel house panels turned my little project into a all dayer. If you dont mind drliing a small hole to release the tow bracket you can install a brush guard in no time. Hope this helps.

[fourfourto]

I had that idea days ago.
Hummer h2 said it wouldnt work.

starsnbars list pics if you got them.

[StarsnBars]

Ill try and get some up for ya. Im having trouble getting my pics to post. To big. Im running out of time now to play with resizing and I really dont know how so Ill keep trying later. Jeeze , photo,puter noob...

[fourfourto]

Use paint go to image to stretch/skew than resise to 35% and save should work.

[StarsnBars]

I sent them to your email moments ago

[fourfourto]

Thanks I got it Im listing pic below.
You could put a allen head in that hole it would look good or rubber plug

[Hummer H2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by fourfourto:
I had that idea days ago.
Hummer h2 said it wouldnt work.

starsnbars list pics if you got them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I never said that it wouldn't work, I said that you would have to guess where the bolt was (or measure dead center and leave a hole). I would take off the front bumper before I would drill a hole through that steel plate. IMO

[fourfourto]

I stand corrected Hummer h2 you dont recomend drilling hole you rather spend the time on it.You could always tap and put in factory torx screw and no one would know(or plastic plug).I was looking for other options I will eventually get the brushgard.Now im looking into in dash navigation if that works out I'll wait for brushgard w /off road lights.

[StarsnBars]

It wasnt that hard to drill out. I missed the first retainer by a 1/16 inch and hit the second one dead on. Saved alot of $$$$ by not having someone else do the fender and wheel house removal and installing. It dosnt sound that hard to remove fender until you crawl under there and try it. My directions were very generic. Heres a pic Filled in the little hole with a rubber grommet yesterday..Looks fine now

[fourfourto]

I was told by the dealer serice guy that you can remove tow hooks(old style) without removal of bumper.He said to remove all bolts than you put a rod in bracket and break loose retaining bolt than twist off hook untill bolt falls out.Sounds to easy, he said it was simple.But it better than drilling or removal of bumper.