The seized screws are less of a problem or fault, as they are a feature,
IMO.

I would assume most truck owners that have bed caps don't intend to be
removing the cap regularlly, and want an inexpensive mounting device so they
don't have to drill holes in the bed sides.

The manufacturer wasn't trying to build an infinite life product (at the
original price) for various reasons.

When the steel seizes in the aluminum bracket it somewhat insures that the
mounting is secure. If the screws could loosen from vibration or getting
bumped while loading materials in the bed, the cap could potentially
separate from the bed.

Redesign of the clamps should include a feature that positively locks the
clamp, IMO.
Maybe sometimes it's better to let rust happen.

--
WB
..........
metalworking projects
www.kwagmire.com/metal_proj.html


"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
anews.com...
My son just gave me a little job... I've got six aluminum pickup topper
clamps that used steel bolts. They are all corroded together. if you just
twist hard, the bolt will take the AL thread with it.

Short of cutting the bolt off, milling and tapping to the next size; how
would you repair this?

Karl