aluminium bolt stuck
#1
12-02-07, 11:23 AM
aluminium bolt stuck
I have a 3/8" aluminium bolt that I cannot turn without possibly breaking the bolt. What can I use to free this bolt ??? Probably sturdy aluminium since it is the track adjustment bolt on a snowmobile...
#2
12-02-07, 02:30 PM
You can try the normal run of penetrating oils and frozen nut lubricants from an auto parts store. JB works pretty well.
If you have an aluminum bolt, I wouldn't try heating the bolt, but if it's threaded into a steel metal block you could heat up the block if you have access to a torch.
If you have a stainless steel bolt you could go the penetrating oil route overnite, then rap the end of the bolt with a hammer. That may do it for you. Don't overdo the hammer rapping though - you don't want to distort the threads on the bolt.
Hope this helps,
Bob
If you have an aluminum bolt, I wouldn't try heating the bolt, but if it's threaded into a steel metal block you could heat up the block if you have access to a torch.
If you have a stainless steel bolt you could go the penetrating oil route overnite, then rap the end of the bolt with a hammer. That may do it for you. Don't overdo the hammer rapping though - you don't want to distort the threads on the bolt.
Hope this helps,
Bob
#3
12-02-07, 04:31 PM
Group Moderator
I don't get to see many snowmobiles around here, but possibly you could give this stuff a try:
http://www.crcindustries.com/marine/content/new.aspx
Haven't used it myself, but the scientific principle seems sound.
http://www.crcindustries.com/marine/content/new.aspx
Haven't used it myself, but the scientific principle seems sound.
#5
12-02-07, 06:00 PM
I have never seen an aluminum bolt threaded into another metal. When I have a steel bolt threaded into aluminum that I can't get out I use heat. I will heat the metal up around the bolt. The aluminum and steel expands at different rates and they cool at different rates. Which in turn breaks the bond between the two metals. So if you do use heat you have to let it cool till you can put your hand on it. The bolt will come out. If you don't let it cool the threads come out also. If you have an opposite situation I would think heat would work also.
