D'OH!... I simultaneously posted w/ our man azcat. ("He's a Sol man..." (*brass solo*) "He's a So-o-ol MAY-en..." (*twangy guitar solo*)... lol.

az, take a deep breath before you fire up that drill, bro! Does this problem exist on both the front and rear crossbeams? Perhaps some fine needle-nose pliers might be able to start the apparently swollen old bolt-ropes on their way out of the slot? Can you post some digital pics of the problem tramp and endcaps?

At least wait until your NEW tramp is in hand--that properly-made pup might answer a LOT of questions.

Help me out here: How does the tramp attach along the SIDES, to those hull-rails? Does it lace on? Clamp with screws? Slide DOWN after you slide it OVER on the crossbeam? Looks like the new tramps are 3 pieces: left-front-main, right-front-main, and a narrow strip spanning the rear crossbeam, which provides your fore-aft tension.

Here's the ebay fancy painted one again... look familiar?