Thread: Rusted door top bolts.

try doing them up abit, even a 1/4 turn. this should expose some good thread and allow you to get some more CRC in. This worked on one of my doors top bolts but snapped the other one

good luck HTH

Unclear whether the problem is the nut or they are stuck in the tube. If it is the nut, I suggest a nut splitter. If it is stuck in the tube, all I can suggest is liberal penetrating oil, followed by the application of heat (but protect the aluminium - you don't want to melt that. Perhaps a heat gun rather than a flame might work. The idea would be to expand the tube to crack the rust and allow penetrating oil in.

Suggestion - remove the door so you can work with it upside down, or lying flat.

John

Thanks john, its in the tubes there's not a lot that beats me
i just do not want to damage the doors.
I might try some of that new freezing spray to crack the rust.

Paul, the nuts have been done up tight till now, one bolt thread
is damaged now as well.

Andrew

I've had to get between the door and top with a hacksaw and cut through the bolts. (just try not to damage the door capping).

Once the top's off, you can usually drive the remainder of the bolt out of the door, with a few good whacks with a hammer and punch. Doesn't seem to do any damage.

I had that problem with a couple of the bolts on my Series III door tops.

IIRC, the answer was plenty of WD40 an an enormous amount of persistence.

I think I eventually got them loose by tapping (belting?) thebottom of the bolt witha hammer.

Good luck.

I had not though of cutting the bolts like that,
last resort..
It's one of those catch 22s, there is nothing really wrong
with them but i want to replace all the rubber.
Also one day they will have to come off for some reason
so it may as well be now.

Andrew

Originally Posted by AKW

I had not though of cutting the bolts like that,
last resort..
It's one of those catch 22s, there is nothing really wrong
with them but i want to replace all the rubber.
Also one day they will have to come off for some reason
so it may as well be now.

Andrew

Just be aware, that cutting the bolts will render the tops as scrap.

Unless someone here has a way to replace them.

Andrew I had the same problem with Ralph's door tops. I continually soaked them for about 2 weeks every night with penetrene and refitted the nuts eachtime and retightened them. One side eventually let go but I ended up breaking the passenger side. Persevere mate, takes all you can do.Then get a bloody big lump hammer and drive the buggers out gently, but make sure you use a lump of timber and dont hit the bolt.

Cheers Ian