Thread: Separating Metal Tubes (Roof Rack Legs)

I am in the need of some metalwork advice.

I have aquired a couple of sets of roof racks, but of course they need to be opened out just a tad to fit onto the disco.

The problem is, they have been in their current position for a number of years, and it appears that corrosion has taken its toll. I have managed to get a couple of the legs out, hence the term corrosion not rust, but there are still some that are stuck fast.

We have tried the gentle hammering, getting less gentle as time went on, tried heating with an oxy, the old spray with CRC & wiggle, add more CRC & wiggle, etc.

Does anyone have any other ideas, other than just keep doing what we have been? It is getting to the point where I am about to cut them open with a grinder & re-weld afterwards. (Well, not me but my boilermaker mate).

ok, if you have a block of wood...any end grain timber will do, a soft faced hammer and gently tap the joint and rotate it as you tap it. if you are not passion fingers, then you can carefully do the same thing with a normal hammer, but not hard enough to mark or deform the tube.