Rusted Non-stainless Nut on aftmost keelbolt

[Jim McCue]

On H28.5 I have a "rogue" iron (non ss) nut on the aftmost keel bolt.Its all rusted out and ugly lookin. It appears that the mfr. (I got this boat new) forced on this iron nut and pretty much "mangled" the threads - as observable on the slightly extruding bolt.I've not messed with this over the years but am getting to the point where I need to consider resolving/fixing it. I could lay on some liquid wrench for a couple of weeks... I guess I could take a dremel and burn into the nut in several places until I can pry it off. But what next???.The Threads on the keelbolt seem mangled as if the iron nut was forced on with an impact wrench. How does one retap - especially in that location just aft of the bilge under the removeable flooring panel. Would I need to burn "smooth" the bolt and retap with smaller diameter nut? Would appreciate any advice on approach and mechanics of this problem. Jim

 

[Phil Teter]

nut buster

Get a nut buster and bust the nut off. This has less chance of thread damage than anything else I know of. If you are lucky you can chase the threads with a die of the same size and thread.Good luck:Phil

 

[Kenny Logsdon]

Try Sears

I agree with Phil. Sears sells a nut splitter that will fit around the nut and split it in half. I thnk this tool was around $20 and should work in the confines of the bilge. As far and chasing the threads of the keel bolt stud, once you find the right size die, you may also use a large socket on the die instead of a traditional die handle. A socket shuld fit over the hex shaped die and allow you to reach into the bilge. Sounds like a big project, but with the right ttols, it may not be that bad.Good luck,Kenny Logsdon

 

[Les Andersen]

Nuts

Jim,If you find you cannot remove the nut you could chase the threads that are above the nut as Kenny suggested and install a thick walled stainless tube around the nut. This would extend high enough that you can install a new ss nut and washer above the tube and existing nut. The tube could be something like a ss socket. That way the existing nut will no longer be carrying the load and when it eventually fails, and it will, the new ss nut and column will carry the load.If you end up having to cut the nut. Try a dremel tool and do it from the top straight down and slice off a corner. That way you won't hit the threads. Cut it as far down as the washer that is under the nut and use a screw driver to force the corner off. The nut should spin off then. If its like mine a nut buster won't fit around the nut.Less/v Mutual Fun

 

[Jim McCue]

Thanks all!

I've seen those nut busters but never one large enough for this situation. Even the small ones aren't cheap! I don't think I have enough thread at the top to try "sister" up. I though that if the nut deteriorated enough it might be easier to cut and/or peal off.Thanks for the advise. I may try a combo of them. Jim

 

[Rick Webb]

A Good Chisel

Use the chisel to smack the nut around counter clockwise loosening it the process. You will loose a few corners of the nut but the good news is if you loose enough of the corners it will split the nut and come right off. It would be advisable to wear eye protection there are going to be a few pieces in the air as you go.