CK30 Rust under grab handles

[Alien]

I removed my grab handles one day just to put a layer of polish on the guard even though my little panther sits in the shed 90% of the time. Well, I got a shock! Underneath the handles rust had set in quite badly. It seems the nut that is moulded into the handle is of low quality and had rusted so bad it had spread to the mudguard and was bubbling the paint up.
I had to remove the rust and treat the area with cold gal paint and when dry I used a sealant under the handle to stop the intrusion of any water. I then used a nickle based anti seize lube to smear the threads of the bolts before I refitted the handles.
I suggest you remove your grabhandles and check this area.
Photo 1. The Hand grab.
Photo 2. The sealant can be seen around the edge if you look close.
Photo 3. The bolt head under the guard.

 

[Mousefield]

Thanks for the tip. It's one place I had never thought to even look at.

 

[Mousefield]

So just came back in from moving fence wire from the shop to the new fence area behind the barn with the tractor. Did have my first look ever in over 3 years and the bolts looked good, no sign of rust. :thumbsup:

 

[Alien]

Hope so. Mine looked good too until I took the bolt out. It was a shock. As I said my 30 lives in the shed most of the time. We have a good climate here and rust is not usually a problem. The bolts are fine. It's the nuts embedded in the handle that are the problem. They start it off.

Doug