Date:         Thu, 29 May 2014 01:43:50 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: painlessly removing steering knuckles?
Comments: To: Dan Barrett <dbx@POBOX.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <297901C6-AFD5-41A7-A278-CEA3DF7B445C@pobox.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

MAPP torches are worthless for this type of fastener removal. The goal with
heat is to get the outside part hot enough to expand faster than the
bolt/screw. These screws are not that critical and they drill out fairly
easy. 7mm screws can be used if needed although I like to use heli-coils.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dan Barrett
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 12:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: painlessly removing steering knuckles?

No dice - heads are so corroded that they're unrecognizable.  Cleaned
everything up with a dremel wire brush, then hit them with (in reverse
order) a MAPP torch, three days of PB Blaster three times per day, and a can
of Loctite Freeze and Release.  Of the six screws, I got two out cleanly.
Two are still solidly fused to the knuckle in one piece, and the heads
sheared off the other two.  Good times up here.


> On May 28, 2014, at 23:37, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> If the heads are intact at all no reason to get the knuckles to the bench.
> An oxy-acetylene torch will be your friend. If you can't grad the
> heads with screwdriver cut new slots with a cut wheel. Get grip, heat
> the knuckle, fast, and the screws should come right out.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Dan Barrett
> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 10:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: painlessly removing steering knuckles?
>
> Dear All:
>
> While replacing my falling-apart-rusty disc brake dust shields, I've
> run into the universe's rustiest fasteners (the machine screws holding
> said dust shields on).  I'd like to get the steering knuckles off the
> bus and onto a bench to work on those nasty machine screws.
>
> The upper and lower ball joints, as well as the tie rod ends, are in
> good shape, and I don't want to do anything to necessitate replacing
those.
> What's the best way of removing the steering knuckles without doing
> violence to anything?
>
> Best,
> d.
>
> --
> 1990 GL -- "Mudskipper"