Thread: The restoration of Wombat

Got access to a welder? weld a couple of long bits of scrap across both ends of the bolt, but not too close to the chassis so you can cut the last of the bolt away afterwards.
Using the scrap as levers and while the heat from the welder is still in there, twist both levers up and down at the same time and something will move I am sure.

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Got access to a welder? weld a couple of long bits of scrap across both ends of the bolt, but not too close to the chassis so you can cut the last of the bolt away afterwards.
Using the scrap as levers and while the heat from the welder is still in there, twist both levers up and down at the same time and something will move I am sure.

It's cut too close at the bolt end to do this, but I could still weld something onto the head. Worth a go. Thanks.

Well, I give up, though it's due more to my incompetence than the suggestions made.

Digging around in the shed, I found an old arc welder I'd been given many years ago. I've never used it and, to be honest, the fittings aren't the best. Anyway, it's there. No face mask, so I went up to Mitre 10 and bought one.

Bit of a win there. The manager saw me wandering the shelves and when I asked about masks, he led me to where there was one left. It's one of those that you can see through and which goes black when the weld starts. I asked how much and he leant down to read the tag in front of it $36. I took it to the front counter and it scanned at $116 - I squawked in shock. The manager was nearby, heard me and said: "I told him it's $36 so that's what we'll sell it at". So I got a good deal there and yes, they'll be getting more of my business.

Home to see if this welder works... and to teach myself how to weld (had basic instruction once years ago). Finally worked out how to coax welds out of the thing.

Eventually decided to have a go at welding a bolt onto the bolt jammed in the chassis (I'd bought a nice new one for the purpose). My first effort fell off when I let go of it. Hmmm. Cleaned it up. Welded it back on again, came off as soon as I pulled on it.

Obviously I know stuff all about welding, which is only to be expected. Were YOU an expert the first time you tried? Without tuition?

Doesn't help me with this sodding bolt though and to be honest, I don't think I've achieved anything except to make it even harder to get out. The phrase 'thoroughly fed up' springs readily to mine.

I watched a couple of how to weld videos on youtube - one was actually useful. Went out into the shed, got an old star dropper and started practicing - much better when you know what you're supposed to be doing (as opposed to what you actually are). Practiced welding a round bit of rod onto the star dropper.

Then got keen and welded a long bolt onto the jammed firewall bolt.



As you can see, I did a real classy job and metal shops all over the country will be lining up to hire me

Then I put my extension pipe over it...



and pulled.

The bolt (the one that's supposed to be doing the twisting) just bent. Bent the bugger up and down for a bit but it just felt like I was trying to soften it to break it off much as you'd do with a bit of wire.

I guess I could get in there with the propane torch and heat everything up but I can't say I'm feeling too positive.

Yes, this is where you tell me I've used the wrong bolt, that I should have sourced a hi-tensile one or some such damned thing. Either way, I've got to grind this off and hope the head of the firewall bolt isn't so stuffed up I can't get a socket on it.

So I squirted some WD40 all over things and shut the shed door. Trying to decide between rum, scotch or brandy for tonight.

And I've just remembered that I was going to put part of Sitec's suggestions into practice - namely, buy a 3mm bit and drill a hole into the centre of the compression tube so I can squirt WD40 into the centre of the mess as well as on the ends... but I forget, so I didn't buy the bit did I.

Following a suggestion from my dad, I got things good and hot, fitted a gear puller, pulled it up really tight (note the bow in the drive bolt), gave it a couple of whacks.



Nothing happened but I'm leaving it under tension overnight.

We'll see.

Man, that bolts is stuck! We all started welding like that. . Back when I started there was no internet and phones still had cords and dials on them, so I taught myself - with diabolical results, so we've all been there.

Maybe try welding the star picket to the bolt - that won't bend as easy as the bar you have on there. Hopefully you're creeping up on it and it will give up soon.

I've bent star droppers over the years. In that other thread, someone mentioned cutting the whole tube out and welding in a new one - that's not sounding outrageous at the moment