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Post by Twisted on Apr 25, 2019 8:48:37 GMT -5
So my one boat indulgence (at least that's what I tell the wife every spring) this year was to replace my spreader lights with Caprera2 white and blue dimming LED's. Ordered, received and all excited to switch them out but...I can't get the friggin old screws out of the t-top. The nuts came off just fine but I've tried PB Blaster (recommended) and good old fashioned brute force but for the life of me they won't move. Did some research and saw people use a flame to heat the screw up but given the location I'm afraid I will light the t-top canvas on fire! Any thoughts, suggestions is greatly appreciated!!
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Post by Gitsum on Apr 25, 2019 8:53:35 GMT -5
Nothing to help now but when you do replace it use Tef-Gel and a nylon washer. You will never have that problem again.
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Post by fishnfool on Apr 25, 2019 8:58:21 GMT -5
I assume you've taken a hammer to it?
Try to get vice grips on it and see if you can work it loose.
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Post by Twisted on Apr 25, 2019 9:40:10 GMT -5
I did take a hammer to it but given the tight location it makes it difficult to get good whacks on it. I will try the vice grips. Thanks.
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Post by Gitsum on Apr 25, 2019 9:50:22 GMT -5
I would continue soaking it with blaster. Maybe even for a few days repedetly, then go very easy and slowly with the wrench. If no luck, heat may be required on the aluminum part to allow the threads to expand. A piece of fire blanket would be useful here for your top. Then a spritz of cold water on the bolt head to contract it, thereby freeing up the threads enough to turn. Hopefully. If not just go ahead and wring the head off and drill/tap.
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Post by finatic on Apr 25, 2019 10:20:58 GMT -5
Is it possible to use a thin metal cutting blade to get at the bolts. Is there enough space between the two clamps. If there that frozen in place you may have to cut them off to replace.
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Post by Ol Mucky on Apr 25, 2019 12:35:07 GMT -5
There has been a time or two I’ve had a broken or stripped head on a screw I could not get out
I’ve used reversed thread drill bits with much success. While I was drilling, the bit would often catch and back the screw right out. I’ve also had the damn bit break off inside the screw which only complicated matters Not sure this would be a good option for your application, just throwing ideas out
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Post by footy3 on Apr 25, 2019 13:08:50 GMT -5
I've never tried this, but throw it out maybe some others have some thoughts on it. Using heat on a bolt makes the bolt expand at a different rate than the material the bolt is in, which causes it to break free. Your concern, in a tight area, is burning up something you don't want to, a pretty reasonable concern. I've seen people use an upside down can of air, like the kind you use to spray clean a computer keyboard, to freeze things. If you try this to freeze the bolt, maybe it breaks free like with heat? Worst case, you waste a can of air. Anyone with thoughts feel free to chime in.
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Post by footy3 on Apr 25, 2019 13:25:42 GMT -5
I've never tried this, but throw it out maybe some others have some thoughts on it. Using heat on a bolt makes the bolt expand at a different rate than the material the bolt is in, which causes it to break free. Your concern, in a tight area, is burning up something you don't want to, a pretty reasonable concern. I've seen people use an upside down can of air, like the kind you use to spray clean a computer keyboard, to freeze things. If you try this to freeze the bolt, maybe it breaks free like with heat? Worst case, you waste a can of air. Anyone with thoughts feel free to chime in.
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Post by finatic on Apr 25, 2019 14:39:59 GMT -5
Another thought is you could remove the canvas top cover. Very fast to remove about 1 hr. to re string.
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Post by Twisted on Apr 25, 2019 14:47:36 GMT -5
Thank you all for your awesome input!! On wards and upwards...with very sore hands and arms
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Post by fishnfool on Apr 25, 2019 16:36:31 GMT -5
I'd prolly just cut the ttop off.
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Post by abouttime2fish on Apr 26, 2019 6:58:48 GMT -5
Bigger hammer, more lube. Fortunately (I guess) I had replaced all those spreader light bolts a few year back when one broke off. I Remember the bolt being pretty solidly stuck in that white starboard spacer. Try getting that to rotate. Bolt will either break free in block or ttop. In first, removal complete, in latter you’ve reduced stuckedness (nice word!) by almost 50%. Go back to hammer.
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Post by fishnfool on Apr 26, 2019 10:59:35 GMT -5
Any luck???
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Post by Twisted on May 9, 2019 10:11:47 GMT -5
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