My shields are falling off
 

A friend pointed out a dangling lower front metal under panel which I found loose due to a lost bolt. Then I noticed the black under shield right behind it was dangling too. Do either of these shields have to be removed when changing oil and if so can I assume the shields were not bolted back on securely at my last oil change? No damage to the shields, just missing bolts.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Missing bolts from the skid plates have been a common problem, mine was missing 2 before the first oil change. Haven't heard much about it lately, maybe manufacturing procedures have been improved.

Skid plates do have to be removed to change the oil, so if you had that done somewhere they may have neglected to tighten the bolts.

Fun part of finding new ones was matching hex on existing ones. Something odd, but replacements I found had a different hex size (factory are metric threads with SAE hex - or the opposite). Didn't want to have to use two separate sockets to remove the skid plates, so I switched two bolts on the radiator support.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Yeah, common.

My dealer forgot to put them all back in, twice now. They have replaced them both times, after I pointed it out to them.

I inspect them now before I leave.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Lucky you, they only forgot to tighten yours. My dealer stole mine.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

I had a rattle underneath and found that one of the bolts had worked itself loose, conspicuously after an oil change.
Since it is hard to find the matching bolts, it doesn't hurt to put a wrench on them after any maintenance or off-road trips.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Front shield needs removal for filter access. 2nd sheild for oil pan drain bolt access. Both shields need to be tight and placed back correctly. Front overlaps back and each have expansion hole slots.:shhh: :grouphug: :o :) :clapping:

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Carry a small tube of Locktite with you next time and hand it to them. The dealer should know and do this and torque to specs or I would not let them work on it. They might leave out something important sometime if they are that sloppy. I would hate to have them replace the head!!

Re: My shields are falling off
 

I only take out 3 bolts and loosen the ds middle and front.
I always double check tightness,they havent come loose yet.:D

I also check the nut clips to make sure there facing back not twisted over to the side.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Bolts do not require loctite or any other brand of bolt adhesive. Just make sure they are torqued to correct value. I do my own oil changes, and makes to torque all bolts to spec, and even on these pot holed streets of MI, and off-roading, I have never lost a bolt.
Torque for all bolts is: 20 N?m (15 lb ft)

Re: My shields are falling off
 

on another note, does anyone have the bolt specs for the front skidplate and UC protection?

It might be a good idea to throw some extra bolts in your tool kit for those off road trips. :popcorn:

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Damn bandits :giggling: ;)

Re: My shields are falling off
 

i got a half dozen or should say had . down to about 4 extra now . hummer was out when i wanted them had to get from the chevy dealer :giggling:

Re: My shields are falling off
 

i tend to destroy the bolt heads before they fall out ;)

Re: My shields are falling off
 

thanks for the torque specs.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Thanks for all the replies. I may just leave them off. Florida is not that hilly and I guess the less weight the better for gas mileage. The less I have to check due to a careless mechanic the better. That thing could have come off on the highway and killed someone behind me.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

If the skid plates are put on propperly there won't be any problems. I've noticed from a lot of quick lube joints and people who do their own oil changes don't get them installed correctly. They can be very tricky to get back on correctly if you don't do it in the right order. To get them off easier just remove the front two bolts and the passenger center bolt. Just loosen the driver center bolt enough to slide the front skid plate off. Then loosen the rear two bolts enough to slide the rear skid plate off. Now you only have to keep track of 3 bolts (2 short 1 long). Reverse the procedure to get it back on. Remember the long bolts are for where the two skid plates come together.

Re: My shields are falling off
 

hee hee hee beavis, they said "come together"

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Sooooo.... what are the bolts specs for engine skid???? I lost one in MOAB...:twak: NEO did you find it????

Re: My shields are falling off
 

:giggling: moab claims alot of bolts :jump: i forgot the size , but have extras if you dont mind waiting till next month . or get the size from hummer and get some from chevy ;)

Re: My shields are falling off
 

Engine Shield: GM Part Number 15819134
Oil Pan Skid Plate: GM Part Number 15094870
Shield bolts from front to rear:
Engine Shield Front Bolts: M8x1.25x30 (GM Part Number 11609733)
Engine Shield Rear/Oil Pan Skid Plate Front Bolts: M8x1.25x35 (GM Part Number 11589407)
Oil Pan Skid Plate Rear Bolts: M8x1.25x30 (GM Part Number 11609733)

Torque for all engine/trans shield/plate bolts: 20 N?m (15 lb ft)

Transfer Case Shield: GM Part Number 15091301
Bolt: M8x1.25x25 (GM Part Number 11515757)

Torque for transfer case bolts: 30 N?m (23 lb ft)


All bolts are rated 10.9 (medium carbon/carbon alloy/carbon boron steel. Rockwell Hardness: Min C33/Max C39.