Thread:

Removing bolts from alluminum?

I'm trying to remove some hardware from my stringers. The bolts go through the stringer into a blind hole in the alluminum. They've been in there for 30 years. Any ideas how to get them out without snapping them off? Oh they are 5/16 steel bolts. Thanks

Tim

I'm doing lots of this at the moment. Heat, WD40, and I like to use a wrench and tap lightly with a soft face hammer while applying pressure (watch your fingers). Try back and forth a bit to loosen it up. And as mentioned above....make sure you have somthing to drink near by!

...Blaster or Marvel Mystery Oil...

soak with tri flow for a day then hit it with an impact

WD40 or similar penetrating oil, tap the bolt head a few times with a hammer if possible, then probably most importantly is use an impact wrench. I have a DeWalt 3/8" drive cordless impact, is very compact and variable speed, very handy for just this type of stuff as you can control the impact force and for a 5/16 bolt is perfect. When reassembling make sure to use anti-seize on the bolt.

Thanks guys for the replys. I would be afraid of the impact, but I can see how that would work. I don't know how I didn't think to hit them with a hammer. As they say,if all else fails, get a bigger hammer. Heat did work on the ones that weren't in the stringers. I'm removing hardware so the stringers can be replaced. I think I'll wait on these bolts until the stringers are out, then cut the old wood away so I can get to the bolts.

Tim

Dont kid yourself. After 30 years there is enough electrolysis and corrosion to lock them together forever. Just snap them off and take the bracket to a shop that does broken tap/bolt removal (EDM). They can burn the broken bolt out and save the threads. Should only cost about $20.00