Tight Screws

[Ducati]

Boat is up on the rack for the winter and would like to replace the zincs.
The allen screws are on there pretty tight was wondering if there is some
kind of spray oil that could be applied a few days prior to my attempt loosen the screws?

I also figure that I should buy some good quality allen keys (big ones with some leverage).

Comments?

 

[higgs]

PB Blaster works pretty good.

 

[Maine Sail]

PB Blaster works pretty good.

What Higgs said..

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Dremel

They're going in the trash anyway, right?

 

[Billbeard]

As good as all the expensive spray’s
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cut 50% with mineral spirits.
I have used this in place of PB-Blaster on every thing Including steel bolts in aluminum.

 

[kloudie1]

Allen Wrenches.. Buy a good set of allen drives for your 3/8" or 1/4" ratchet handle.. Much easier to work with instead of the flexy long bent wrenches ..

 

[Ross]

Allen Wrenches.. Buy a good set of allen drives for your 3/8" or 1/4" ratchet handle.. Much easier to work with instead of the flexy long bent wrenches ..

This time I will be an echo. Recently I had to change an air conditioner fan motor. The set screws would not yieldd to a long arm allen wrench, too much flexibility. An allen hex drive on a 1/4 in. ratchet broke them out easily.

 

[Tim Huss]

do your self a favor and clean all the crud out of the allen head before you start cranking! make sure the wrench gets as good of a purchase possible.
once it starts to slip your only option will be drills and easy outs!

 

[Ed Schenck]

In the lakes if the zinc is gone so are the screws. I slip a big screwdriver blade in the slot and twist. They pop right off.

 

[Billbeard]

You know do your self a favor I think all the advice is well founded
But take your time and soak the offending bolts a few times over the period of a few weeks. No rush with all the extra leverage from socket wrenches etc you might very well break off the bolt. Drilling and easy-outing is not much fun.
One thing that no one has mentioned is a hand held impact driver it works well and is a very modest investment (motorcycle mechanics that have to deal with aluminum cases and steel bolts always have one in their box) It works by engaging the bolt/screw/nut
With the proper bit/tip and while turning the impact in the direction you wish to go strike the end of the impact with a hammer.

 

[Ross]

Do you really want to apply hammer blows to the side of the propeller shaft?
If you twist the head off the screw that holds the zinc it is no concern because then the zinc will fall off and you are planning to replace it anyway.

 

[Billbeard]

Ross if you have to hit it that hard then back it up or don't go that route Jeez do I have to spell it out?

 

[Ross]

Ross if you have to hit it that hard then back it up or don't go that route Jeez do I have to spell it out?

Bill, I have one of those rather useless hand held ,hammer struck impact drivers and I haven't ever found a use for it that my Black and Decker impact wrench didn't do better. I have turned stuck screws and nuts with a bit brace and the right bits that impact tools didn't touch. Yeah, ya gotta spell it out.

 

[Ducati]

Thanks for all the great advice.

I love it when you guys start snapping at each other.
Reminds me of those two old guys on the Muppets.

Regards

 

[Billbeard]

Bill, I have one of those rather useless hand held ,hammer struck impact drivers and I haven't ever found a use for it that my Black and Decker impact wrench didn't do better. I have turned stuck screws and nuts with a bit brace and the right bits that impact tools didn't touch. Yeah, ya gotta spell it out.

Now hold on there the hand held gives you 200 ft./lbs for each hammer strike while the Black and Decker 12volt is good for 150 ft./lbs. The hand held will sit happly in a tool box for years with no recharging and be ready to use, It costs less then a third of a new battery operated driver , It will give you more torque.
And all you got to do is use it P-R-O-P-E-R-L-Y

 

[Ross]

Now hold on there the hand held gives you 200 ft./lbs for each hammer strike while the Black and Decker 12volt is good for 150 ft./lbs. The hand held will sit happly in a tool box for years with no recharging and be ready to use, It costs less then a third of a new battery operated driver , It will give you more torque.
And all you got to do is use it P-R-O-P-E-R-L-Y

My B&D impact wrench is a corded industrial tool.

 

[Alan]

OKOK there's no need for hammering, twisting, or anything else requiring force. If the zinc is almost gone you can grab it with a pair of channel locks and it will practically fall off. If not just take your trusty die grinder and cut it off. The die grinder will cut the screw off in under ten seconds, easy.

 

[redhead78]

Ditto, there,s not many things on a boat that will stand up to a 5" grinder wf diamond blade...red