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Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:14 am
by MikeNTexas
I’m changing the belts on the 76 and one of the bolts that holds the idler on is seized in the block. It turned about a 1/4 of a turn then got tighter. I fee that if I keep going it’s going to break. Any suggestions on how to free it up?

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:16 am
by Sidecar Bob
Spray some PB Blaster on it, let it sit for a while to work its way in and then work the bolt back & forth within that 1/4 turn to work the penetrant between the threads farther until it moves more.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:46 pm
by salukispeed
Lots of patience and PB and back and forth. some like other rust busty stuff but PB is usually a reasonable choice. If you have not tried anything yet I and some like Kroil even better but time and patience, Once you force it in frustration it is broken and then you are in a real pickle.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 2:42 pm
by MikeNTexas
thanks guys That did the trick. Got it out without pulling any threads. Cleaned up the corroded bolt and ran a tap in the hole and it runs in freely now.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 3:17 pm
by Sidecar Bob
If the bolt's threads were rusty that means that the sacrificial zinc coating is used up and it is time to replace the bolt so it doesn't happen again.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:49 pm
by flyin900
It is also a best practice to use an anti seize on any bolts while you have them out, as the galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and steel/zinc plating on the threads, which is usually long gone now. I find many bolts and JIS screws threads are covered with a white gunk along with rust from 40+ years of age.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:05 pm
by MikeNTexas
I use anti seize on all steel bolts that screw into aluminum.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:51 pm
by Sidecar Bob
That's nice but it won't protect like a layer of zinc.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:17 am
by Kingpin06
I use the spray on zinc, and anti seize.

Re: Stuck idler bolt

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 10:52 am
by Sidecar Bob
As long as it is something like this and not a zinc bearing primer
https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/p/d/v000159473/