4020 rim/wheel clamps and bolts

bleazenb · Dec 4, 2016

Not exactly sure where to post this question, so I'll start here. I'm in need of any and all assistance in removing the 12 rim clamp bolts on a 69 4020. The nuts all came off but I cannot budge the bolts out of the cast wheel. Have been soaking the bolts with Blaster for over a week. Tried heating them with torch, hammered on them with sledge and air hammer. None of them have budged, how can I get these bolts out? Thanks

jd2cylman · Dec 4, 2016

Unless you used a rosebud tip until the whole cast area around each bolt was REALLY warm, you didn't get them hot enough. Heat them one at a time until the cast is almost dull red, then smack the bolt out. The other alternative is to heat them up enough to melt a candle and let the wax wick in around the bolts. This may help them come out. I've only done the first method with 100% success. The wax method DOES work for rusty bolt threads. Usually...

Galen Houk · Dec 4, 2016

I just had this with a 730. It's quite common. The only way I got them out was to torch the bolts off flush on both ends and then use the torch to melt the bolts back in as far as possible on both ends. I then took a punch and drove out the 1" or so left in the center of the casting. That is the only way I could get them out.

tim s · Dec 4, 2016

I'm with Galen,, torch them off flush, some times after that is done the heat will loosen the rest of the bolt and with a good squared off punch they will drive out,, if not blow on them with the torch..I usually figure on new bolts and nuts when this job comes up..

Ragnarok · Dec 4, 2016

Air hammer..penetrating oil.. and new bolts...

jd adict · Dec 4, 2016

easy, first earplugs, then air hammer, leave the nut on but loose that it is flush with the end of the threads on bolt.
air hammer the bolt out till the nut touches the cast hub
go on the other side and hammer the square headed bolt back
once or twice each way and take the nut off cleaning up the threads and punch it out
this will allow you to reuse the bolts, saving you $$
if they are tighter than the air hammer will move them then go to plan b and torch them off.
dont forget saftey glasses and good luck. let us know how you make out.

Bob Harvey · Dec 5, 2016

I didn't have that much trouble with my 60 - lucky for once. But I do know that Fastenal has the square headed bolts. I used SS washers, lock washers and nuts and a dollop of 'never seize' - just to be snazzy. Didn't cost that much. Some Fastenal outlets can be a PITA - wanting to sell a whole box rather than just what you need. Found one that was great and had them shipped - about $1 ea. I suspect yours are longer/different whatever. HTH

JD Seller · Dec 5, 2016

Well you made it harder with the PB Blaster. Any type of oil just locks the rust in around the bolt. I have the best luck using an air hammer. Then a blow gun to blow the dust/rust from around the bolt and then air hammer it some more. Now the air hammer size is important. IF yours is a little short barreled one forget it. It will not knock them out. You need a LONG stroke air hammer. They hit twice as hard as the short stroke ones. I have both. The long stroke ones are harder to handle in tight places. Since I got the long stroke air hammer I have yet to run into one of these casting bolts that it will not take out.

bleazenb · Dec 6, 2016

Well good news!! After two days of fighting those bolts I finally succeeded in getting all 24 of them out. Your exactly right JD about the long stroke air hammer, borrowed one and it made all the difference in getting them out. Combination of torch, sledge and the air hammer was the ticket. Thanks for all of the ideas, I believe I tried everyone's ideas, at least once.

4020 rim/wheel clamps and bolts

bleazenb

New User

jd2cylman

Member

Galen Houk

Member

tim s

Well-known Member

Ragnarok

Member

jd adict

Member

Bob Harvey

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

bleazenb

New User

Similar threads