66 tire carrier bolt removal
I'm looking for suggestions on a possible way to remove the two long forward bolts which the spare tire carrier lid pivots on. These have the flat heads with not much clearance for an open end wrench. I think the threads are rusty also so I would prefer to grip the bolt as close to the thread end as possible. However there is little room at the top of the tub to get a good grip on the bolt shaft. There may not be any easy solution, just thoght someone may have been in this situation. (trying not to snap or saw off bolts) Thanks for any ideas. Rich
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Mike,
Thank you!. They are actually soaking in PB Blaster as we speak. I thought I would send in the question while I wait. Appreciate the response.
RichComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
If all else fails take the tub out first that gives you room to get at the tops of those bolts and perhaps a better chance of removal. (once all the glass is out of the way a little heat can be used) Again, last resort.Comment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Alan,
Good suggestion also, thank you!
RichComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Richard,
I faced the same issue on my '65. Soaking the bolts was not successful but probably helped them unthread so definitely try it first. I resorted to heating them a very short time and they broke free. I seem to recall another access hole in the frame that allowed me to see the threaded end which I tried to clean up with a small wire brush - helped the bolt unthread a little easier with less possibilty of thread damage.
Dave BrownComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
That access hole Dave is talking about is the hole I put the smallest adjustable wrench I have in, when I broke the nut loose (broken Weld) and had get creative to tighten it up, when I put it back together. PB Blaster and a map torch and little patience does cause problems. Story of my life.Comment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Dave, Peter;
Very much appreciate the advice, the hole you refer to is small (maybe 2"?). I'm thinking about heating the bolt near the thread end and using a small pipe wrench at the same location. The threads are still soaking at this time and I have not attempted to drop the tub as yet, but I will try that before using the heat. (A little gun shy about heat with the gas tank near by, may have to think this over).
Thanks again.
RichComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Rich,
I have the same problem on my 66 and have tried the soaking with PB Blaster method with no success. I removed the tub and privoted the cover to the side to allow me to grip the bold at the base of the frame. I still could not budge it with vise grips so I have given up trying for now. I am also leary of applying heat in this area, especially after soaking the area with the flameable substance. I thought about cutting the bolt at the base and drilling it out but have not been brave enough to try it.
JeffComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Rich & Jeff,
If you put enough torque to it the nut is going to loosen or break free from the cross-member. Try putting a wrench that will fit in the aforementioned hole and it will wedge to the side of the cross-member. This might help keeping the nut from snapping it's welds. But if it does, it is not that big a problem - just keep working at and it will unscrew. And you can tighten it up with the wrench inside holding the nut when ready to reinstall.Comment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Peter, Jeff;
The bolts have been soaked with PB Blaster and Kroil for about a week now with no luck. I'm concerned that I will snap the bolt before breaking the nut loose. May not have any option as I think I will not try heat due the chemical residue in the frame.
Actually I need to remove the gas tank and it looks like I could leave the tire cover in place and drop the tank. Anybody ever try this? Thanks for all the help.
RichComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Hey Richard,
Crows foot wrench on an air impact drive. Hold the wrench on the bottom of the bolt with one hand, wearing a heavy work or gardening glove, and squeeze the trigger with the other. Each bolt took about 20-30 seconds of hammering but worked loose without dammage.
AndreComment
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Re: 66 tire carrier bolt removal
Thanks Andre. I will try to round up the tools and give it a try.Comment
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