tips for removing stubborn rack bolts from seatstay

hammerite
hammerite Posts: 3,408
edited May 2008 in Workshop
I've removed and put back the bolts from my seatstay a few times when fitting and removing my pannier rack. I went to put my rack back on last night and the bolts just spin round without actually coming off, I think I may have over tightened them last time I put them back on.

Any tips for removing them?

I was getting most angry at home in failing light last night as we also had a power cut!

Comments

  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Not good really; sounds like you've stripped the threads. You (or the LBS if you're squeamish) need to grip the head of the bolt while you drill it out. If it's the bolt threads that have gone you just need new bolts. If you've stripped the threads from the hole in the seatstay it will need new threads cutting using a tap of the next size up, and then you'll have to fit correspondingly larger bolts.

    If it's an alloy frame I'd definitely ask the LBS to do it
  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,980
    How about getting someone to brace the bike, and clamping the offending bolt in a pair of molegrips, then try and 'undo' it whilst gently pulling away from the bike.
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  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Daniel B wrote:
    How about getting someone to brace the bike, and clamping the offending bolt in a pair of molegrips, then try and 'undo' it whilst gently pulling away from the bike.

    Thanks for the replies.

    I did try doing this Daniel, but couldn't find my mole grips so attempted it with pliers on my own....... resulting in a rather large blood blister on my index finger after the pliers slipped off and pinched my finger :oops:
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    you have my every sympathy. I had this very problem recently with my son's Fiesta. the idle air control valve needed cleaning or replacing; it's attached to the inlet manifold by two bolts, and one of these was just spinning and not coming out. It's a plastic manifold with threadaed brass inserts and I guess the insert had broken free from the plastic moulding.

    No way out. had to replace manifold and valve. Cost of the job went up from 5p for a few drops of WD40, to £250!

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