Tool Of The Day.
Posted: 06 Mar 2016, 16:01
After changing a few hoses on the old boy, I had found that the radiator was weeping slightly too.
( probably one of the reasons I was losing coolant slowly over time. )
Having gone so far already on the coolant system, rather than just keep topping the levels up, I thought `why not just do it right.`
So, new radiator arrives from BW along with some other bit - all lined up for yesterday - and I hit a wall...
The bolt that holds the radiator bracket ( near side ) to the chassis is seized solid onto the thread behind it.
When I turn the bolt, it just rotates the opposing side - which you can't get to.
I spent hours yesterday trying to bed pliers into a 45-90 degree angle, so that I could poke them through the gap and hold the hidden bit.
Finally - after much swearing - I went a bit OTT and got this puppy last night ( Dremmel 4000 ):
The only way I could manage to get it off was to cut the bracket off, which gave me enough room to then cut the bolt head off...!!!
A bit over-kill, I know. Many of you would probably have a better method, but it had that bracket and bolt off in minutes.>!!
Anyway.
Today you get two tools for the price of one.
Tool of the day: Smiffo or Dremmel... Depends on which way you look at it..!!!
As I have reached this stage, ordinarily I would just buy another bracket. I have some M8 bolts, nuts and associated washers already, but I am thinking I will try an give someone I know a nudge. Might be able to have a go on a welder and put the bracket back together.
That would be some real `satisfaction`levels to get to..!!
I'm thinking I might keep adding to this thread - I have seen `Tool of the day` somewhere else, and I like it
Everytime I find a tool that solves a problem that stumped me, I will add it to this thread
( probably one of the reasons I was losing coolant slowly over time. )
Having gone so far already on the coolant system, rather than just keep topping the levels up, I thought `why not just do it right.`
So, new radiator arrives from BW along with some other bit - all lined up for yesterday - and I hit a wall...
The bolt that holds the radiator bracket ( near side ) to the chassis is seized solid onto the thread behind it.
When I turn the bolt, it just rotates the opposing side - which you can't get to.
I spent hours yesterday trying to bed pliers into a 45-90 degree angle, so that I could poke them through the gap and hold the hidden bit.
Finally - after much swearing - I went a bit OTT and got this puppy last night ( Dremmel 4000 ):
The only way I could manage to get it off was to cut the bracket off, which gave me enough room to then cut the bolt head off...!!!
A bit over-kill, I know. Many of you would probably have a better method, but it had that bracket and bolt off in minutes.>!!
Anyway.
Today you get two tools for the price of one.
Tool of the day: Smiffo or Dremmel... Depends on which way you look at it..!!!
As I have reached this stage, ordinarily I would just buy another bracket. I have some M8 bolts, nuts and associated washers already, but I am thinking I will try an give someone I know a nudge. Might be able to have a go on a welder and put the bracket back together.
That would be some real `satisfaction`levels to get to..!!
I'm thinking I might keep adding to this thread - I have seen `Tool of the day` somewhere else, and I like it
Everytime I find a tool that solves a problem that stumped me, I will add it to this thread
