[TowerTalk] heavily rusted anchor bolt/nut

kr2q at optimum.net kr2q at optimum.net
Mon Oct 7 06:56:27 EDT 2013


Hi...

I am changing out the T-Bar base on my TX472.  

[You may recall, my old TX472 was bent at the base of the tower during H.Sandy.  The replacement tower has arrived]

I tried using my wrench to undo the 3 nuts (on 3 anchor bolts), but I wasn't able to budge them.  

Then I slid a six foot long, 2" OD mast over the end of the wrench and for two of them (barely rusted), they easily turned.

But one of the anchor bolts (1.125" diameter) the associated nut is heavily rusted, as is the bolt.  Over the weekend, I applied Naval Rust Dissolver Gel which sort of worked.  At least enough to demonstrate that the threads are still in tact.  I also showered it with Liquid Wrench (several times).

But even with the 6 foot long lever arm and "cautious" pressure, I was not able to budge the nut.  

I know that when nuts have "frozen" before on much smaller bolts (5/16" or 3/8"), I have been able to (unfortunately) break the bolt instead of loosing the nut while applying "lots" of rotational torque on the nut.  While a 1.125" diameter bolt seems pretty hefty, I am concerned about doing the same (yeah, sounds ridiculous)..and then I"ll really be out of luck.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks,
de Doug KR2Q


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