Rusted Tank Bolt

[Obey_R 23]

Just a quick one, taking the petrol tank off - one nut came off fine but the other, well there's no way it's coming off without cutting it.

 

Are the bolts replacable or are they welded/built in? I assume they're the ones at the bottom of the rear seats?

 

Edited July 24, 2010 by Obey_R

[SurGie 54]

I had exactly the same issue, so what i did was to hammer a smaller socket over it to wedge it and very carefully unscrewed it. I also used freeze spray and WD 40 to help the job. I will be getting some new nuts for this, does anyone know what thread size they are by any chance ?

 

My petrol tank nuts where the same side as yours as well, one came of easy the off side one was a bugger.

Edited July 24, 2010 by SurGie

[Obey_R 23]

On the top of the bolt, under the seats is 6.8, don't know if that's the thread size? I've tried hammering on a 12mm but it just won't go yet... I'll give it a good soaking and get some freezespray, did you find it helped much?

 

 

EDIT: Oh another thing I notied, was the nut that came off fine is too small to screw onto the thread of the other...

Edited July 24, 2010 by Obey_R

[DaveW 6]

Man your car is worse than mine for rusted nuts and bolts! An impact gun would of got that off easy, you not access to some old skool AF size sockets?

[large 33]

Try a 1/2 inch or 13mm hex socket.

[Obey_R 23]

13mm is what it's meant to be and just slips, 1/2 is a bit better but still slips too much.

 

Yeah I've got some but can't get one to fit either! Nor do I have an impact wrench or gun!

Edited July 24, 2010 by Obey_R

[large 33]

I know its a 13mm but are you using a hex or bi-hex socket

[Obey_R 23]

My 6point sockets aren't deep enough to reach it, so only been using a 12point 13mm. My deep sockets only go up in evens!

[welshpug 1,666]

I'd get another 13mm nut of the right thread and slowly wind it onto the stud, soak it in wd40 and work it, once you reach the nut that's holding the tank on then you can start unwinding that without fear of it seizing on the threads and snapping the stud.

 

I'd get a deep 6 point socket from Halfords or somewhere like that.

 

It is spotwelded on from inside, so if all else fails you can nut and bolt it after removing the remains.

 

A mate has some snapon dies that are a bi-hex so they fit nicely into a large socket, I have used this instead of a nut previously too.

[Obey_R 23]

Ok thanks, I'll give it a go but at least if I can't get this one off I can cut it and just replace it once the spot welds off.

[Jrod 7]

Irwin bolt grip will get that off.

 

If not... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NUT-SPLITTER-2-PCE-S...=item414eaa3b3b

[Obey_R 23]

Drilled the bolt off from the top, got it off I'll just have to use a new nut and bolt when I put it back on! So now to underseal!

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

I drilled both those off, they go rusty and bend so easily im sticking some M10's in instead.

[SurGie 54]

Irwin bolt grip will get that off.

 

If not... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NUT-SPLITTER-2-PCE-S...=item414eaa3b3b

 

 

I tried using that and it did f*** all especially with the limited amount of space around the tank, they were also no good for the bigger bolt that holds the tank guard, it just would not crack it so iv now chucked them away and relying on my grinder and pure effort on other rusted bolts.

[Obey_R 23]

Luckily the gaurd bolts came off fine when the beam came off, but on the last beam I took off I ended up hacksawing through the metal strap - needless to say my arm was dead by the end of it!

[Redtop 14 2 Cars]

A bit late now but maybe some use to someone in the future. Run a die nut up the rusted threads of the bolt. Then spray plenty of wd40 on the bolt and leave for a while. You can't use the burners as it's too close to the fuel tank. Next get a 6 sided 13mm socket not a 12 sided one and make sure it's on the nut good and proper. Try to tighten it ever so slightly then slacken it. That way it will break the rusted joint. Then when it goes onto the cleaned threads it will come off alot easier. Thats what I do and then you don't have to drill any bolts out or weld new ones in. A bit of patience and time but alot less hassle. Just replace with a new nut in the end and clean the threads once again before refitting, job done. .

[Baz 421]

bit of patience and time but alot less hassle. Just replace with a new nut in the end and clean the threads once again before refitting...

 

And cover in copper grease, then cover that with heatshrink or something. Hopefully will minimise it re-rusting again!

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

Also a bit late now but I have a nice M8 nut with cutting threads on that I run over the threads covered in copper grease & spray the nut hoolding the tank up with penetrating fluid before I start this & so far all mine have come undone without any problems but I have known them to shear off if you just try to undo them straight away with no preparation.

 

Graham.

[Redtop 14 2 Cars]

And cover in copper grease, then cover that with heatshrink or something. Hopefully will minimise it re-rusting again!

 

Good idea Baz hadn't thought of heatshrink, and since the road dirt will stick to the grease would be perfect.