ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

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nitromag57
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Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:43 pm
Location: midwest

ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by nitromag57 »

anyone else have problem getting off the ski bolt at top where the whole saddle and ski comes off sled?
i hit the one with a impact and thought it was coming out and it snapped the head off bolt, so i tried heating it up and pounding it out both ways nothing..the other side acts like it isnt moving so i dont want to have it holding on by a half a bolt sticking out either so what the heck :wall: is the bushing rusted to the bolt?

i got the ski's off by themselves by pulling pins out got them sandblasted up look real nice and i cant get the rest off dangit............nitro
harleysportster
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Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by harleysportster »

Yes, this is a common problem with the vintage sleds especially if they sat outside for a long time. The bushing rusts to the inside of the tube of the spindle or the bolt. If you removed the spindle from the steering bushing, place it in a press and try your luck at that. You could also try and drill out the bolt, but you have to be dead-center.
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tmartin
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Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by tmartin »

Sometimes a press wont do it. i drilled my last one out. i drilled it off center not on purpose. but once i was through i was able to get it out of there. heat will be your friend.
1973 John Deere 400-Fall 08-Ongoing project
1980 John Deere Trailfire 340 (RAT)- Spring 09- Daily rider
1982 John Deere Trailfire 340 - Spring 12- Daily rider
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427cobra
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Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by 427cobra »

What I have done is this...

Remove the ski spindle with the spring from the sled. Then I take a cut off wheel between the shackle and spindle. You can pry the shackle apart with a pry bar to get the cut off wheel in there if needed.

Once you have the bolt cut off the spindle will seperate from the spring. Now you have to drill or press the bushing and bolt out of the spindle.

Good Luck!
Eric A.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid" - John Wayne
nitromag57
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Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:43 pm
Location: midwest

Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by nitromag57 »

i got spindles off tonight like 427cobra said and im not even going try to take other bolt out of other side for now, im going to sandblast all of it then repaint, repack with grease also hard part is going to get bolt out like tmartin said i think heat will be my best friend and i do also like the cut bolt and pry shackle out idea....thanks again nitromag57
JDT
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Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by JDT »

Heat it cherry red and show it who da man with a pneumatic hammer.
The thing will launch itself across the shop floor.

New bolts and bushings and away you go.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
lwb140
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Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by lwb140 »

jdt ,you da man
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A1 SLEDER JIM
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Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by A1 SLEDER JIM »

replace it with a stainless or grade 8 bolt or your settin yourself up for more trouble.
jim
nitromag57
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Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:43 pm
Location: midwest

Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by nitromag57 »

thanks guys for the help the site is awesome with cool members 8) :usa: i got spindle out of saddle deal, i heated it up a little but i dont think it was hot enough though i hit with a air hammer with flat attachment half the size of the bushing and didnt budge the air hammer was pounding it out of the vise!! all i wanted to do was clean skis up a bit cause thats how i roll, so now i got to get bolt out or get a new spindle, bushing somewhere....thanks mike
nitromag57
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:43 pm
Location: midwest

Re: ski bolts are rusted wont come out!

Post by nitromag57 »

i heated that spindle till it was cherry red and hit with airimpact and bolt bushing combo shot out across the bench and hit the wall :clap: :dance:
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