Best method to remove frozen bolts

[Safari]

I had milky water in my drive unit and am trying the simplest procedures first, to see if they work before delving in deaper. I am checking all covers that are below water first to see if they could be improperly sealed. I bought the boat second hand and someone had previously worked on it and had buggered the heads of the phillips bolts that secure the top cover and shift fork assembly. The bolts are very tight and I have tried to heat the surrounding material but no luck. I have tried penetrating oil with no luck either. Does anyone have any suggestions as to any method of removing these bolts. Thank you.

 

[Don S]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

I have to assume, since you didn't see fit to say, that with "Phillips" headed screws, you must be working on a 280 or 290 series Volvo. If so, you could drill the heads of the screws off, then use "A Lot" of heat to break the corrosion beteen the long bolts and the cover and possibly get them to slide off.<br />I've had to destroy covers before to get them off.<br /><br />Instead of doing a hit and miss (try the easy things first)approach. Do or have the drive pressure checked so you know where the leak is.<br />A common problem is a bad ujoint bellows which allows water into the drive.

 

[Safari]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Thanks Don S<br />No,the drive is an ancient type II mercruiser (1964). I would like to do a pressure check but none of the posts about that seem to address the needs of a beginner. From what I have figured is: I will need some type of fitting that will go in the oilfill hole. Makeing sure that it is airtight, I should then pump air into the housing.I don't want to blow everything up with too much pressure though. Is 7-9 p.s.i. O.K. How long should I wait to see if pressure drops? Is the fitting I need nothing more complex than a tire valve stem and tire pressure gauge? I also thought thatI would brush everything with soapy water.I would like to do all this myself as I am on a fixed income with not a lot to spare and also the nearest Merc dealer is very distant to my home.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

I remember years ago having an "impact driver", a tool with interchangeable bits. You would insert the correct bit (phillips?) and hit the tool with a hammer. It would drive the bit into the screw head and turn it at the same time. Perhaps these are still available.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Yes, drivers are still out there. If you have to remove these screws and nothing else helps, maybe cut a slot in the head and use a flat screwdriver.

 

[tommays]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

you need a hand pump with a check valve and presssure guage that has been adapated into a vent or fill plug<br /><br />i made a good one from the air pump for a moutain bike front fork it has a good guage, check valve and bleed button built in<br /><br />you can buy one ready made but i have a lathe and milling machine so i made one<br /><br />it should hold presure for at least 10 min<br /><br />i dont no what your useing for heat but you need a oxy\acc torch to get enough heat in a small area fast enough to do any good<br /><br />the inpact screwdriver may take them out but it usally just twists the head off without the right amount of heat first<br /><br />its why may shops wont repiar a drive this old<br /><br />drilling is next but not recomended if your new at it<br /><br />tommays

 

[RatFish]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

I'm not sure of your application but this has worked for me in the past...<br /><br />Try to remove as much of the head of the screw by drilling. Get a drill bit that is smaller than the shank and threads of the bolt. Drill a whole in the center of the bolt the entire length of the threads. Next soak threads over night with some penetrating oil. Go out the next day with a screw extractor and a torch. Apply some heat and then try to back out the screw. I've also been able to "break away" the remaining threads with small round hardened steel punches. If all else fails, drill out the entire screw and replace the threads with HeliCoils (replacement threads).

 

[Safari]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Thanks everyone. I only used one of those little propane torches and not for long. I was afraid of melting/distorting the housing. Should I be concerned about that? I don't want to damage these covers as the drive is so old I may not be able to replace them.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Hey, can someone help out and tell me, where is a good place to buy a pressure test tool? <br />The local marina did mine for me for free, but I have a friend that has a leak in his drive and wants one to check his seals.

 

[qystan]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

I used a bicycle pump. Used the oil fill fitting to connect to the gearcase and a tee fitting to connect to a pressure guage. For the connection to the pump, used the air valve stem from an inner tube with the valve.<br /><br /> air valve oil fill fitting<br /> <br /> pump <-----------------------> gearcase<br /> |<br /> |<br /> Pressure guage

 

[qystan]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

An advice given tome by a mechanic is not to dismantle old parts. It tends to go into a state that it cannot be dismantled fully and nor reassembled.<br /><br />Aluminium being what it is, likely also that removed parts can no longer be reassembled because the base metal is no longer around and is held together by the corrosion whci will last a ver long time if untouched..... I know, my Alpha 1 gearcase is now junk because the threads for the retainer ring can no longer hold after removing the corrosion, all because I wanted to change the seals as precautionary maintenance. Now waiting for new case.<br /><br />Oil leaks are most likley to be from moving part seals. Unfortunately I can't see what your drive looks like. Taking the alpha drive, these are likely the drive shaft seals at the water pump base and the propeller shaft seals, others small movement and static areas and less likely.<br /><br />Suggest you hit the removeable areas first, pass over stuck areas, and do it one at a time and testing each time. Its a lot more work. Don't proceed further once problem is fixed. I should have done it this way than going for the works at one go.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[steve n carol]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Hi safari, welcome.<br /><br />as far as soapy water.<br />I have a cheap $3.00 plastic pool that I filled and laid my outdrive in. there are places that are somewhat inaccessable w/ the soapy water. you could use a bathtub. remove the gear oil first. also it is reccommended that you perform a vaccum test. "AND WHILE YOU'RE AT IT"... some famou$ word$ around here!!haha. you can buy a nifty hand pressure/vac/ pump for about 26 bucks US. What tpye of boat did you buy?...sl

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Heres an article on how to remove stuck screws giving you the different options<br /><br /> http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/stuckscrews.html <br /><br />There are special bits you can get to extract philips screws that have been stripped, they cut their own way into the head.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Chris

 

[Safari]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Thank you again,<br /><br />Qystan, That's exactly what I'm afraid of will happen. That is why I wanted to do the simple things first. Unfortunatly, the boat is old (1957)and has been worked on in the past. Up until now I have been able to get all the bolts out except this one. Wouldn't you know it, it's the LAST one.<br /><br />SnC, The boat is a 1957 Mitchell 25' C.C. It was made in Costa Mesa, Ca, I love its' old classic lines. I've tried to research the manufactuer but can't find any info. They went out of business. I think the O.D. is a TypeII or II-TR. I believe in the future I'll have problems getting parts for it, that's why I want to baby it and keep it going.<br /><br />Chris Meyers, Thank you for that great Link.

 

[Catchem]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Safari,just a thought here for you but I have done this in the past with great luck.Might work for you to.You say this is the last bolt to get out so you have the others and now you know the length, threads per inch, and thickness,right.Ok now grind the head off the bolt.Use a centre punch to pot mark a spot dead centre in the bolt.Then get a 1/8" drill bit and drill down into the bolt shaft the length of the bolt.Now use your drill guide to determine the proper drill size for the Bolt you have and drill the hole.Now you need to re-tap the hole for the new bolt.This does work and it has saved my A.. more than once.Use it only as a last resort...but it sounds like you may have to.Best of luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[Safari]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Thanks Catchem,<br /><br />Unfortunatly the darn bolt is recessed. Can't get at it with a grinder. Just bought an impact screw driver and am waiting for penetrating oil to do its' thing,then I'll apply some heat and try again.

 

[Catchem]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Hey,Safari,how did you make out.All go well I hope.

 

[Safari]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Hi Catchem,<br /><br />Everything worked out well. I bought an impact screwdriver and it worked like a dream. Thanks for your help.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Originally posted by Chris Myers:<br />[QB] Heres an article on how to remove stuck screws giving you the different options<br /> http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/stuckscrews.html <br /><br />Hey, any Moderators out there? Can ya make this Screw article a FAQ? Its s good one and as a machininst I get tired of typing the same thing as a reply. I didn't write it, but it can't be copywrited I believe.

 

[Catchem]

Re: Best method to remove frozen bolts

Glad to hear you had good success. Don't you love when a plan comes together.