Rusted on wheel bolts on MT

1954lincoln · Oct 3, 2018

Out of the two wheels that i have on the front of my MT, i have 3 wheel bolts that are rusted up. They are stripped where i cant get them off with the 3/4in socket ,the corners have rounded off. I have soaked them for a week before i tried to loosen them up.

What techniques could i try to remove them?

jCarroll · Oct 3, 2018

Are all 3 rusted bolts on the same wheel? If yes,
remove the other wheel;
drill the rusted bolt from the tip toward the head;
that direction with a right hand drill will tend to loosen the bolt;
even if you have to use a large enough bit to wipe out the threads you could
re-tap threads - or (Heavens forbid) use a thru bolt instead of a capscrew

M-MAN · Oct 4, 2018

Are you using a 6 point socket with an
impact? If so dig out the drill and bore
them out.

2520-4010 · Oct 4, 2018

First, I would bang them with a hammer a few times to see if they would "jar" loose.

Second, apply heat. Get them red hot with a torch. Douse with water! Repeat a few times. If they don't
budge after that, it's time to get the welder out. Weld an old nut to the rounded off stud, let it cool
and then use an impact if you have one. This has always worked for me.

And don't be afraid of heating and cooling the stud. It will loosen the rust and it will work.

And this would be easier (if you have to weld) if you take the wheel and hub off so you can lay them down
to work on them.

James Howell · Oct 4, 2018

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]What techniques could i try to remove them?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at the [b:654c4848f0]PRESSED STEEL FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY[/b:654c4848f0] diagram below.

Note the hub cap(Key 6), cotter pin(Key 7), retainer washer(Key 8), bearing cone(Key 9), front wheel hub(Key 11), and 3/4" slotted hex nut(Key 16).

You might consider removing the front wheel hub.

Turn the front wheel hub facing down with the hex head screw threads exposed.

Clean the threads with a wire brush.

Using a small <a href="https://www.bernzomatic.com/">BernzOmatic torch</a>, heat the threads.

Cool the threads with your favorite penetrate.

Using a punch and small hammer, lightly tap the end of the hex head screw and apply additional penetrate.

Repeat the process as necessary.

Use a smaller metric socket on the "[i:654c4848f0]rounded[/i:654c4848f0]" head of the cap screw.

Another option would be to use a pair of vice grips on the "[i:654c4848f0]rounded[/i:654c4848f0]" head of the cap screw.

Hope this helps.

1954lincoln · Oct 4, 2018

[b:7156d96bf8]Using a small <a href="https://www.bernzomatic.com/">BernzOmatic torch</a>, heat the threads.[/b:7156d96bf8]

I have a propane torch. Will this be hot enough?

I can get the map gas at homedepot. Will my propane tip work on map gas?

James Howell · Oct 4, 2018

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Will this be hot enough?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Yes, it should be.

Hotflashjr · Oct 4, 2018

I have done this before I had a torch set. It takes a while but you can get a bolt red with MAP gas and a propane torch. I found the key was to keep moving the flame around the head of the bolt. It will take you a while so be patient.

1954lincoln · Oct 5, 2018

I just want to thank everyone for their suggestions!

I found my impact gun and oiled it up. I only have a 12 gal oil-less compressor that I cranked up as high as it would go. I used the 19 mm socket which spun one off. I had to keep the air psi pegged near the top to keep the hammering phase working its magic. I got another off by hammering the 18mm socket on and keeping the pressure high. The last one was rounded off bad but i turned the 19 mm slightly and hammered it on. It took several tries at full pressure to get it to spin but it gave up and came loose.

Again
Thanks!

James Howell · Oct 6, 2018

Thanks for the update.

Rusted on wheel bolts on MT

1954lincoln

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jCarroll

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M-MAN

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2520-4010

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James Howell

Well-known Member

1954lincoln

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James Howell

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Hotflashjr

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1954lincoln

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James Howell

Well-known Member

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