Removing contractor's shelving and bins

[waldenbound]

I just spent about two hours working in my van, trying to remove the contractor's shelves and bins. I have a ratchet set, but I need a wrench the same size to hold it from the other side. I'm having a hard time even making space to work efficiently.

Also, how do I get floor bolts out when they just turn round and round? Do I need to rip out the carpet to get my wrench on the bolt from underneath?

I can tell this is going to be an ordeal. I can barely get in back there's so much shelving. About ripping out the vinyl and carpet from the floor, I don't want to mess up the step up trim (the plastic on the step for getting into the cargo area.) Do I cut around it?

Thank you. :shy:

 

[BradKW]

They can be a tough nut to crack, especially when rust is involved. Vise grips did the trick for me...see how I have 3 pairs clamped on the bolts, then went under and used ratchet to undo. Obviously the vise grips need to hit something to keep them from spinning too.  Unless they used threaded inserts, bolts should just pop through...if they're stuck, use one you get out to tap others through with a hammer. Have some eye protection handy, hard to avoid getting crap in the eye. Oh, and you may need a pass-through socket set to get the nut from below...

 

[Almost There]

I just spent about two hours working in my van, trying to remove the contractor's shelves and bins. I have a ratchet set, but I need a wrench the same size to hold it from the other side. I'm having a hard time even making space to work efficiently.

Also, how do I get floor bolts out when they just turn round and round? Do I need to rip out the carpet to get my wrench on the bolt from underneath?

I can tell this is going to be an ordeal. I can barely get in back there's so much shelving. About ripping out the vinyl and carpet from the floor, I don't want to mess up the step up trim (the plastic on the step for getting into the cargo area.) Do I cut around it?

Thank you.   :shy:

Sometimes it's a two person job, one underneath and the other inside.

The floor bolts may be turning because there's nuts on the underside that are rusted on the threads...the whole assembly is turning.

You probably want to rip out the carpet anyways...It's always better to check what's under the carpet because it's more than likely wet and you may have some floor spots you want to stop from rusting.

The trim on the step probably is just fitted in there with fasteners from the factory. You may find that they are either not seated all the way because of the carpet etc. or that the gap from removing all the flooring is the right depth for what you want to put in anyways.

 

[waldenbound]

Ok BradKW, I'll get the pass through set. I think I should just get one of those wrenches with the rounded part on one end and a crescent part on the other. I know the size the bolts are taking, 7/16.

AlmostThere, I think I'll cut along the trim first, get the majority of the flooring up. Then I'll see if I can get the carpet out of the trim. Shame, because it's nice carpeting, but nothing like I have in mind for a floor.

 

[highdesertranger]

x2 on the vise grips. you can get the carpet out without cutting it just remove everything else out first. highdesertranger

 

[waldenbound]

Ok, more tools. Pass through ratchet set, Little bitty combination 7/16 wrench. I do have a pair of vise grips, I got them when Clint Eastwood said duct tape, vise grips and WD-40 can do most household jobs.
Back to work tomorrow.

 

[ArtW]

easy way would be an angle grinder and a cut-off wheel, but that moar tools 

 

[LeeRevell]

Rent an angle grinder and cut the bolts off from inside, they drop right down and out.

 

[poncho62]

Rent an angle grinder and cut the bolts off from inside, they drop right down and out.

Just make sure you dont start the carpet on fire.........Why did a work van have carpet in it?

 

[Dennis]

Always more tools. Good to have when you need them though. When you get the bolts and support brackets all loose you may need some help manhandling the shelves out of the van. Heavier and more awkward than they may look.

 

[waldenbound]

Well, I'm about five seconds from taking it to a mechanic's shop and asking them to remove them. I don't have the correct tools, the correct know how, the correct strength, the correct help. It just isn't worth it to me to keep messing with it.

All I want is to get all of this crap out of my van. Then I can do something.

 

[Dennis]

The vise grips on the head of the bolt....or lay a boxed end wrench on it so it will be jammed by the shelf and then turn the nut from underneath ought to do the trick. Your other idea about a shop would be the easiest for you. Maybe offer to trade the shelves for removal. They are pretty pricey items.

 

[Almost There]

I had to take my Astro to a body shop to have the seats removed...they did in minutes what would have taken me days to do. Actually, I would never have gotten some of the bolts out, they had to use a cutting torch.

Maybe whoever you take it to will have some use for the shelving unit...maybe trade the work for the shelving...or just leave it with them so you don't have to try to find a new home for it all.

 

[waldenbound]

The van is in the garage getting the plugs, wires, coolant and thermostat. I asked them and they will loosen everything so that the parts are separated and off the floor and the walls. I'm going to sell them on craigslist.

I had a feeling I was in over my head when I couldn't get but a couple of bolts off.

As always, thank you all so much for the advise.

 

[introverting]

easy way would be an angle grinder and a cut-off wheel, but that moar tools 

Dremel with a cutting wheel might work as well and is easier to handle and use in tight spots.

 

[MrNoodly]

I lucked out. The van I got came with two contractor cabinets. One had lengthwise doors that fold down. I kept that one and sold the other. The top door serves as my table.

I needed a friend to help unbolt them and again to bolt the one I kept into it's new position.

 

[ArtW]

Dremel with a cutting wheel might work as well and is easier to handle and use in tight spots.

troo dat, i never think of dremels, never had one

 

[MrNoodly]

When you finally get the shelves/bins out, you'll be left with holes in the floor. You'll want to plug those. When I fixed up my van I looked all over for suitable plugs. All the things I found were like a buck and a half a piece. Ridiculous. So I got a tube of construction adhesive a bunch of coins from my change jar. Pennies and nickels were usually large enough, but even using quarters was cheaper than plugs.

 

[waldenbound]

When you finally get the shelves/bins out, you'll be left with holes in the floor. You'll want to plug those. When I fixed up my van I looked all over for suitable plugs. All the things I found were like a buck and a half a piece. Ridiculous. So I got a tube of construction adhesive a bunch of coins from my change jar. Pennies and nickels were usually large enough, but even using quarters was cheaper than plugs.

I need to plug the holes? Uh-oh. Ok, I'll find something to make it work. My change jar is pretty full though.

 

[LeeRevell]

JB Weld.