Seized Fittings (Stainless into Ally)

[ecb]

Any tips on removing fittings that have got seized? The bolts are stainless, the plates aluminium (great combination!)

I guess I can drill out the smaller bolts, but I need to remove a stanchion socket, which is threaded into an alu plate sandwiched between grp that has got corroded.

Cheers

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[snowleopard]

there have been lots of discussions on this with very little positve help emerging. top recommendation is to apply heat. some say soaking with coke or lemon juice helps though i've not tried it yet

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[robind]

build a small coffer dam around the site of plastercine and use a suitable acid to disolve the oxidisation of the ali ? possibly vinegar I am no expert but with a little depth of say acetic or citric acid finding its way down the threads and a little bit of "regular wriggling" it might come free?
Regards
Rob

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[Rohorn]

Hi...I can't visualise the geometry, but on occasion I've drilled in 2mm dia at 45 degrees to reach the thread and inject wd40, then tighten the bolt hard, then loosen, repeatedly and it came apart. Depends a lot on what screws you have, hex head, socket, screwdriver etc to get enough purchase without wrecking the bolt/screw. Heating, tapping at different angles(shock waves), are all good too.
Good luck.
Cheers....R

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[boatmike]

If you put rum in the coke or gin in the lemon it helps. Drink the mixture, jump up and down and swear loudly. It won't get the screw out but you will feel better!

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[boatmike]

Actually modest heat applied with a blowlamp works most times. Don't forget though that if you have halliards inside your mast you don't want to set fire to them ( Doh!)

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[Sea Devil]

I tried all the above a couple of years ago in New Zealand - ended up drilling and cutting...........

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[boatmike]

Yeah but it's all upside down in the southern hemisphere. You were probably hitting the wrong end.... Rum and Coke is my favourite....

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[Sea Devil]

Rum and lime juice for me - cheers - Had a superb job on new shaft et al and they lined up the engine as well - for half the price in UK - well a lot cheaper - good place to refit

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[boatmike]

Naaah! Probably put it in backwards! Don't encourage the bloody colonials they will get even more out of hand than they are at present. In any case they are only Brit's wot got lost. Bloody Kiwis......



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[Birdseye]

I found that shock tratement was the only thing that worked ie belt it with a big hammer taking precautions not to damage bolt head or other vital bits. Any acid strong enough to disolve aluminium oxide (which is a very hard abrasive) will easily dissolve the aluminium itself, which when its protective oxide coating is removed will fizz and dissolve in ordinary water!

When you put back together, use Duralac to prevent a recurrence. This stuff actually works!

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.