Seized Steering

[Biggles]

After doing a little search to help me free off a bolt I wasn't able to find anything suitable.

I need to disasemble some of my steering to fit a new adjusting bolt. The last one fell apart on my last trip.

I've got the two bolts off that hold the arm in place but now it seems that the cast arm is seized on to the bolt. I've plastered it in wd40 and banged it a few times but I've got to be careful because its cast. Nothing is moving at present. I am going to give it another try on Friday once the wd40 has had time to work.

Any ideas or should I just wait and see how I get on on Friday.

Below are a couple of pics. The red circle indicayes the problem area.

Any help appreciated as this is the only thing stopping me from the meet on the 25th.

[Nos4r2]

Hello mate,

Hot water onto the casting until it's warm through to expand it, dry it quickly with kitchen towel then use Plusgas or diesel on the point where it's seized.Give it a tap like you have been.Stick more plusgas on then repeat it next day.Keep doing it daily til it moves.You could add a bit of vinegar to the water if you want-it helps salt dissolve.

IF it's feasable to get a heat gun (an electric one will do) onto the casting without damaging anything it'll help a bit too.

[BruceB]

I assume this is a stainless nut by the cleanliness and the lack of thread actually threaded on. If so it has probably not seized as such but cold welded to the thread. Release agent will have little effect on this problem as the two units are as near as dammit welded together rather than some dirt or corrosion preventing removal.
Brute force is the only real answer but depending on just how severe the galling is the bolt may snap before letting go and the thread is most likely going to be damaged.
It is a problem I have found regularly with 304L and 316L stainless and the only answer is to apply anti seize compounds on assembly.

Or do you mean the stud is seized into the arm and the nut shown is loose?

[Orville]

Has it moved at all?
If so then I would tighten it back up a bit then reserve it until it goes difficult again, then repeat the process bit by bit.
Cheers,
Orve.

[Biggles]

Hi Bruce,

Sorry if the picture was misleading. Its the stud that is seized in the black arm. The nut is loose.

I have an electric heat gun so Nos's idea might work. Never thought of that one. Did think of a gas gun but didn't want to start a fire. Will an electric gun melt the paint on the black arm ?

Unfortunately I'm away for a few days now. Back only for Friday when I want to do the job, then away again until the 24th. With the cruise on the 26th.

Nos. I did wonder if hot water would help but I can't do it every day.

NR.

[Matt]

In my experience the only thing to shift siezed components like that is a blowtorch. Tried starting with hot water, hot air gun, etc, always just end up with a blowtorch. Obviously insulate the plastic tray and other susceptible components to avoid tears.

Depending on the coating, it might need the arm to be re-painted.
Merc paint though is VERY resistant to heat, you might be lucky and the arm coating is the same.

[yoyo]

I would replace the locknut if possible with two regular nuts, locking one against the other tightly. Then I would use a good fitting ring spanner or socket.......shock, heat, WD40 all will help.

[Limey Linda]

Hi Bigs
Had same problem a few months ago. I assume the stud/spindle goes all the way through with another nut on the other side. If so you will need to break the seizing by hitting on the end of the spindle , not the casting. In other words by punching it back through. Leave nut on the punching end but only halfway on, using a good punch, say 1/4 inch dia. start tapping on the end of the spindle, not the nut. Take it slow, no whacking. Any pre soaking/heating will help. If you have to use a torch on the casting, shield everthing else. Paint will be damaged but you are taking it off anyway so you can re-paint.
Cheers

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Hi Bigs
Had same problem a few months ago. I assume the stud/spindle goes all the way through with another nut on the other side. If so you will need to break the seizing by hitting on the end of the spindle , not the casting. In other words by punching it back through. Leave nut on the punching end but only halfway on, using a good punch, say 1/4 inch dia. start tapping on the end of the spindle, not the nut. Take it slow, no whacking. Any pre soaking/heating will help. If you have to use a torch on the casting, shield everthing else. Paint will be damaged but you are taking it off anyway so you can re-paint.
Cheers

Thanks for the info.

Sounds like a daft question but If I tap the spindle how does that free the arm ? Is it just the vibrating that softens up the salt ? I was never very happy at hitting the arm. Could end up with an even bigger bill and more time off the water.

I'm going to give it a go as you suggest and maybe get a heat gun.

[Limey Linda]

Hi Bigs
If your system is like mine then the casting fits up against a shoulder diameter on the spindle. You may have to wedge a piece of wood between the casting and something solid. Basically you need to break it free by axial movement not torsional. If you have one try a hairdryer first. The principle is to drive the spindle out of the casting and not the casting off the spindle.