rusted in pinch bolt removal????

Procomm

Procomm

Club Member
Jul 10, 2007
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Gradually Decomposing in a sarcophagus of general
got a problem, the nearside front upper pinch bolt (18mm) is rusted in place, I only have double hex sockets in 18mm which are just rounding on it. I have a blow torch which I will try to heat the hub up tomorrow and see if it will release, if that doesn't work anyone got any sensible ideas on how to remove it??? strut needs replacing as its shot so leaving it is not an option unless anyone has a spare nearside front hub they can get to me tomorrow
 
As said, standard hex socket. No use explicitly in using an impact socket (which in general use are 'lower quality') but they are cheaper; and as a rule single hex.

Falling that fluted sockets are my preferred weapon of choice. I have a full set of high quality ones but sadly you are some distance from me.

All other tips are good though, PlusGas and heat are two good options!.
Regards,
Andy
 
Cut through the gap to get rid of the unthreaded section of the bolt, then drill out the threaded part. Heat will help here.
Oh, and btw Paul, this should be in the problems section ;)
 
I don't want to tell you all how to use a glass coffee table and a yellow pages, but i'm going to any way....

Just don't heat the bolt, you want to heat the exterior to expand it for easier passage of the bolt
 
Pid_16V said:
Cut through the gap to get rid of the unthreaded section of the bolt, then drill out the threaded part. Heat will help here.
Oh, and btw Paul, this should be in the problems section ;)
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Hes not a subscriber Al so he cant post in problems
 
By sounds of it the head of the bolt is too far gone for a any socket now......if this is the case my suggestion would be to remove the complete leg from the car and proceed on a bench, when i have come across this situation, 9 times out of 10 i ended up drilling a 5mm
hole down the center (kills the drill bits though) and EAZIOUT the stud with plenty of plus gas over 2 days beforehand.
The worst thing to do is get the hump with it in the car, you'll just end up breaking something else!!
 
That may be how it ends up, but I haven't seen the state of it yet so there might be enough meat left to work it out.

Might as well give it a go, and I'll enjoy the drive over there anyway. ;)
 
shaggy said:
Get yourself a set of these. Never let me down yet(y) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IRWIN-5-P...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item5ae2be3079
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They're the fluted sockets I was referring to.

I have the full set, really useful and saves digging the welder etc out. Can't say they've 'never let me down' but I'd say I enjoy a 75+% success rate, which for such a simple tool is staggering. Had to replace a few where they've gone blunt (regular use, I used to work on odd vehicles....) but overall they're splendid bits of kit.

If you work on vehicles and don't own a set, I'd recommend them as an investment to anybody.

Regards,
Andy
 
Agreed....do look good at that price......i'll keep a set in the toolbox, beats drilling the hell out of rounded bolt heads!!
 
Well, incredibly, a 240NM rattle gun wouldn't touch it... but the blowtorch, followed by the 18mm impact driver on a wrecking bar surely did. The head wasn't that bad, but it was definitely beyond the bi-hex.

I have to confess that when he was using the torch on the suspension knuckle (and therefore right next to the shock) I kept a discreet distance. I've never seen one go bang, but I expect it isn't very pleasant.

Good to see you again Paul and Gemma (and great to meet your parents and your gorgeous dog). Good luck with the rest of it!
 
Procomm said:
kind of makes me wonder how strong I actually am when a gun set at 240nm cant turn a nut but me with a 12" ratchet can :LOL: always a pleasure to see you chris, got me out of a hole yesterday thankyou (y)
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Air tools are famed for not proving anything like the plated values.

Notoriously deceitful the airtool manufacturer.

Regards,
Andy
 
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