Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Please send me an email or reply here if you have any suggestions to
my latest difficulty, which is described below.

In the cockpit sole on my sailboat is an aluminum cover over the
rudderpost, where the emergency tiller is attached when needed. The
cover is about 4" in diameter and is threaded into an aluminum frame.
It is normally removed with a spanner wrench (which I have, but it
doesn't get very good purchase on the two holes it fits into). As it
hasn't been removed in two years it is frozen and I can't get it to
open. I've tried penetrating oil and heating it with a propane torch.
I've also tried both of the above together in conjunction with a
judicicious application of the hammer. No luck.

I thought of removing the entire assembly (frame and all) but after
removing the screws, I found that the frame was glued to the
fiberglass with a tenacious sealant that won't budge.

Any ideas?

Mister Grumpy

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

On 26 Apr 2004 15:34:54 -0700, (Mister Grumpy) wrote:

Please send me an email or reply here if you have any suggestions to
my latest difficulty, which is described below.

In the cockpit sole on my sailboat is an aluminum cover over the
rudderpost, where the emergency tiller is attached when needed. The
cover is about 4" in diameter and is threaded into an aluminum frame.
It is normally removed with a spanner wrench (which I have, but it
doesn't get very good purchase on the two holes it fits into). As it
hasn't been removed in two years it is frozen and I can't get it to
open. I've tried penetrating oil and heating it with a propane torch.
I've also tried both of the above together in conjunction with a
judicicious application of the hammer. No luck.

I thought of removing the entire assembly (frame and all) but after
removing the screws, I found that the frame was glued to the
fiberglass with a tenacious sealant that won't budge.

Any ideas?

Mister Grumpy


Can't remember the name, but they sell them at Sears. Heavy handle with a heavy
rubberized strap that loops around whatever needs to be turned and then fastens
back in the handle. The band tightens as more pressure is applied.

Help, someone, what's this damn thing called. They do work!

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

On Mon, 26 Apr 2004 19:15:43 -0400, John H wrote:

On 26 Apr 2004 15:34:54 -0700, (Mister Grumpy) wrote:

Please send me an email or reply here if you have any suggestions to
my latest difficulty, which is described below.

In the cockpit sole on my sailboat is an aluminum cover over the
rudderpost, where the emergency tiller is attached when needed. The
cover is about 4" in diameter and is threaded into an aluminum frame.
It is normally removed with a spanner wrench (which I have, but it
doesn't get very good purchase on the two holes it fits into). As it
hasn't been removed in two years it is frozen and I can't get it to
open. I've tried penetrating oil and heating it with a propane torch.
I've also tried both of the above together in conjunction with a
judicicious application of the hammer. No luck.

I thought of removing the entire assembly (frame and all) but after
removing the screws, I found that the frame was glued to the
fiberglass with a tenacious sealant that won't budge.

Any ideas?

Mister Grumpy


Can't remember the name, but they sell them at Sears. Heavy handle with a heavy
rubberized strap that loops around whatever needs to be turned and then fastens
back in the handle. The band tightens as more pressure is applied.

Help, someone, what's this damn thing called. They do work!

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

go he
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...=00 945570000

://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00 945570000
John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

John H wrote in message
...
Can't remember the name, but they sell them at Sears. Heavy handle with a
heavy
rubberized strap that loops around whatever needs to be turned and then
fastens
back in the handle. The band tightens as more pressure is applied.

Help, someone, what's this damn thing called. They do work!


Boa Constrictor ***
http://gateway.canadiantire.ca/drive...699_1408474395
348027_845524441900931_ ***

If the emergency rudder cover plate is anything like the smooth, flat one on
the Mirage 33 I sail on, this tool may not be able to grip the edges.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Don White wrote in message
news:Lchjc.29959$Np3.1069910@ursa-
Boa Constrictor ***

http://gateway.canadiantire.ca/drive...699_1408474395
348027_845524441900931_ ***

If the emergency rudder cover plate is anything like the smooth, flat one
on
the Mirage 33 I sail on, this tool may not be able to grip the edges.

Try this link
http://gateway.canadiantire.ca/drive...699_1408474395
348027_845524441900931_

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Don White wrote in message
news:6ehjc.29961$Np3.1069926@ursa-

what the he**!
guess you'll have to type in the last two batches of numbers if you want a
look-see.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

"Don White" wrote in message
...

Don White wrote in message
news:6ehjc.29961$Np3.1069926@ursa-

what the he**!
guess you'll have to type in the last two batches of numbers if you want a
look-see.



Here's the Tink Link to it:
http://tinylink.com/?qRnf0WfOpD

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Gary Warner wrote in message
...

Here's the Tink Link to it:
http://tinylink.com/?qRnf0WfOpD

Thanks Gary...that's what I was trying to say.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

John H wrote:

Can't remember the name, but they sell them at Sears. Heavy handle with a
heavy rubberized strap that loops around whatever needs to be turned and
then fastens back in the handle. The band tightens as more pressure is
applied.

Help, someone, what's this damn thing called. They do work!

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

This page has pictures of chain wrenches, that are able to apply more torque
than a strap wrench and not slip.

http://images.google.com/images?q=chain%20wrench.*
--
________m___~¿ô____m______________________________ _____

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Have you tried PB Blaster and heat? I had the steering joint on my Mercury
850E freeze up solid so we heated it and tilted it so that the PB Blaster
would move to the top of the steering joint finally freeing it. Now for the
art of heating something that you want to take apart... I'm not sure of your
delemma if you are taking a cover that screws into a female fitting only
heat the outside edge to expand that edge away from the part that is screwed
in. If the cover wraps around the male portion heat the outside edge to
expand it. Like my dad always says "anyone can own a hammer, knowing where
to knock is the key". While you are heating the edge tap the cover with a
hammer and use the PB Blaster. As for those strap things I thought it would
be the answer for taking off my F250 diesel oil filter but the straps on the
Costco knock off stretches and slips. That thing about the harder you pull
the tighter it grips doesn't work if the band stretches.

Good Luck
Mick


"Mister Grumpy" wrote in message
om...
Please send me an email or reply here if you have any suggestions to
my latest difficulty, which is described below.

In the cockpit sole on my sailboat is an aluminum cover over the
rudderpost, where the emergency tiller is attached when needed. The
cover is about 4" in diameter and is threaded into an aluminum frame.
It is normally removed with a spanner wrench (which I have, but it
doesn't get very good purchase on the two holes it fits into). As it
hasn't been removed in two years it is frozen and I can't get it to
open. I've tried penetrating oil and heating it with a propane torch.
I've also tried both of the above together in conjunction with a
judicicious application of the hammer. No luck.

I thought of removing the entire assembly (frame and all) but after
removing the screws, I found that the frame was glued to the
fiberglass with a tenacious sealant that won't budge.

Any ideas?

Mister Grumpy

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

I've never used PB Blaster. Does it work better than, say, Liquid
Wrench or other penetrating oils?

MG


"Mickey" wrote in message news:

Have you tried PB Blaster and heat?

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Exactly! The whole assembly is flush with the cockpit sole. The
cover is male, threads into the frame. Nothing to grab onto at all,
except the two little holes (1/4" deep) for the spanner. I've thought
of drilling the cover so I could get a good grip on it but then I
would have a cover with holes in it, and I don't know where I could
ever get a replacement (it's 1976 vintage) -MG

If the emergency rudder cover plate is anything like the smooth, flat one on
the Mirage 33 I sail on, this tool may not be able to grip the edges.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

"Mickey" wrote in message news:U4ljc.278$A27.205@fed1read06...
Have you tried PB Blaster and heat?

I haven't tried PB Blaster. Does it work better than Liquid Wrench?
I've also heard of Kroil. Has anyone here used that? Any opinions as
to which is best?

M_G

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 04:32:08 -0700, Mister Grumpy wrote:

I haven't tried PB Blaster. Does it work better than Liquid Wrench? I've
also heard of Kroil. Has anyone here used that? Any opinions as to which
is best?


I've never used PB Blaster, but I have had excellent results with Kroil.
I don't even bother with Liquid Wrench. Your mileage may vary.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

"Mister Grumpy" wrote in message

In the cockpit sole on my sailboat is an aluminum cover over the
rudderpost, where the emergency tiller is attached when needed.


Glad this isn't a real emergency....


You mentioned maybe drilling a hole in it. Seems to me that maybe
that is the thing to do. Then once it's out maybe you can install some
type of handle on there so that if you ever DO need access in an
emergency you'll be better off.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

"Mister Grumpy" wrote in message
om...
"Mickey" wrote in message
news:U4ljc.278$A27.205@fed1read06...
Have you tried PB Blaster and heat?

I haven't tried PB Blaster. Does it work better than Liquid Wrench?
I've also heard of Kroil. Has anyone here used that? Any opinions as
to which is best?

M_G

I use nothing but CorrosionX which is an amazing (but expensive)
lubricant/protectant.
Threw away the PB, WD, LW and others years ago. I would give it try if it's
available near you.

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

"Mister Grumpy" wrote in message
om...
Please send me an email or reply here if you have any suggestions to
my latest difficulty, which is described below.

It is normally removed with a spanner wrench (which I have, but it
doesn't get very good purchase on the two holes it fits into). As it
hasn't been removed in two years it is frozen and I can't get it to
open.

I would first try drilling new holes for the spanner wrench you have. These
are probably 3/16 diameter holes, so if you drill another pair 90 degrees
from where the original ones are it won't look bad at all.

If that doesn't work, then I would enlarge the holes and get a bigger
spanner wrench. Or as my father used to say, "Don't force it, get a bigger
hammer!" I would try enlarging the original holes first, then maybe you
could get two spanner wrenches on it at one time.

It is possible that it is so corroded that it will never come off. If you
come to this conclusion, then I would try cutting out the inside piece and
try to save the frame. It is possible that you could find a replacement
that had the same diameter and thread so you could just replace the inner
piece. It may look a little funny with an old, oxidized frame and new
plastic inner piece, but it might be your only option.

Rod

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

Mister Grumpy wrote:

Exactly! The whole assembly is flush with the cockpit sole. The
cover is male, threads into the frame. Nothing to grab onto at all,
except the two little holes (1/4" deep) for the spanner. I've thought
of drilling the cover so I could get a good grip on it but then I
would have a cover with holes in it, and I don't know where I could
ever get a replacement (it's 1976 vintage) -MG

If the emergency rudder cover plate is anything like the smooth, flat one
on the Mirage 33 I sail on, this tool may not be able to grip the edges.

Drill out the small holes with a larger bit so you can get a better grip
with a different spanner wrench with larger pins. Tap the holes with pipe
threads (1/8") and install pipe plugs once you have cap removed. Use Teflon
thread tape or pipe sealant that doesn't harden so the plugs can be removed
in the future.
--
________m___~¿ô____m______________________________ _____

Help!: How to unstick stuck aluminum cover?
 

PB Blaster is the stuff. It is far superior to Liquid Wrench. It smells
bad and tha smell never seems to go away, but the chemical angle is
definately the less obtrusive. This stuff is so good, I sprayed it on
exhast manifold bolts and backed them all out with a 1/2 inch rachet . .
.. no worries. Find it. Try it and keep your vintage boat vintage.

Al

Mister Grumpy wrote:

I've never used PB Blaster. Does it work better than, say, Liquid
Wrench or other penetrating oils?

MG

"Mickey" wrote in message news:

Have you tried PB Blaster and heat?