Hi guys, I have been trying to get the bolts out of my Hunter 27 anchor chain holder - I've tried heat, oil, a hammer and they won't budge.
- Thread starter PeterinSydney
- Start date
If @Terry Cox 's suggestion doesn't work, beg, borrow, or rent a battery powered impact wrench. DeWalt makes a high powered unit that claims 1400 ft-lbs of loosening force. The great thing about impact wrenches is that the vibration helps to loosen and the torque is momentary so that the chance of rounding off fasteners is minimized. "Minimized" but not eliminated. Be very careful and put lots of downward force to keep the bit fully engaged in the fastener. The manual tool suggested requires you to hold downward pressure by design.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,174
That is a lot.. Could rip my arm out of it's socket if it got loose.
Grip with TWO HANDS...
Probably set with a sealant…… impact wrench should break it.
good luck
good luck
There is likely an aluminum plate embedded in the fibreglass and you have galling from dissimilar metals - stainless and aluminum. Usual method for removing a galled fastner is high heat, this likely isn’t a viable option due to its effect on the fibreglass. It looks Like you could use cold - make a little dam around the fastener and use some dry ice or liquid nitrogen.
Which 27 is it or year of boat? @twalker H260 may be correct as I have seen 5200 sealant used. If that is the case, I think there is a solvent that will soften that satan’s glue. You could try working the screw back and forth but you have to be careful. Is the forestay still attached? Is the forestay chain plate wrapped over secured to the bow too?
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I think your best bet is to drill the heads off, try to pound them in (which I doubt will work) drill them down some more and fill in the fiberglass. Move your new hardware a half inch over in any direction. The hardware will cover the old holes
- Pounding from underneath is next to impossible due to the angle of the bow. There's very little space and you have very little leverage
- Debond will work if the screws are stuck because of 5200 but it will take a LOT of time and patience
- There are many reports of Hunter embedding metal into the deck. Corrosion is difficult to deal with even when you have access to the fasteners
- If these fasteners are as stuck as you say they are, using an impact tool will likely spin the head off
- Maybe, a torch would help if you can heat the fastener without scorching your deck??
Once the hardware is off, it is easy enough to cut out the remaining bolts with a hole saw (no guide bit) and repair the holes the usual way with epoxy & stuff.