Help Remove Rusted Out Lower Link Pins

[The Deerslayer]

Starting a rehab paint project on my rear blade and figured while I was at it I would replace the lower link pins. They are loose and the nuts are stuck due to rust. Tried using various lubricants to no avail. I also have no means of heating it up other than a small torch which did not do much. My next step is to try my cut off tool. Anyone done this before? Open to additional suggestions.

 

[Ford850]

I've done several sets of these. After the first time, and wasting a lot of effort trying to free them with penetrating oils, heat, etc, I had to cut them off anyway. So this is what I've done after that. I soak them heavily with a penetrating oil of your choice for a couple days. Then I give it a valiant effort with a pipe wrench, breaker bar, or what ever fits that particular circumstance. I don't waste too much time though. If I don't get the nuts to break free and come off easily within a few minutes, I cut them with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and a cut-off wheel. For a $3 pin, don't spend too much time on it.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Starting a rehab paint project on my rear blade and figured while I was at it I would replace the lower link pins. They are loose and the nuts are stuck due to rust. Tried using various lubricants to no avail. I also have no means of heating it up other than a small torch which did not do much. My next step is to try my cut off tool. Anyone done this before? Open to additional suggestions.
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Have you tried a pneumatic impact on the nuts with BA pipewrench on other side?

 

[George2615]

I use a pipe wrench on the pin and impact gun on the nut. If that don't work I use a cut off wheel or sawzall. Lastly I'd use a torch but the OP says he doesn't have one.

 

[Stimw]

I have a lot of success with an air chisel with a flat tip punch when it's something I want to save.
Just rattle the H out of the nut by hitting it on the flats.
If they were where you could get to them another trick is put one hammer on one side and hit the flats with a hammer on the other side.

 

[SJay]

Cut off wheel on your grinder is your friend - one of the handiest tools I have.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The gas powered 14 inch cutoff saw is very handy for these also, no cord to stretch.

David

 

[DJ54]

The perfect place to try a 50/50 mix of Acetone, and ATF. Hit it a couple times for a few days to soak. Flip the blade over to get at the nut, and some swinging room. As mentioned, a pipe wrench on the pin, and wrench on the nut, or 3/4 set & breaker bar on the nut. Or. even a large pipe wrench on the nut.

I've also had to resort to the cutoff wheels on the angle grinder. I buy the Dewalt wheels by the box of 25 when Rural King has them on sale for 99 cents.

 

[coralhead]

Starting a rehab paint project on my rear blade and figured while I was at it I would replace the lower link pins. They are loose and the nuts are stuck due to rust. Tried using various lubricants to no avail. I also have no means of heating it up other than a small torch which did not do much. My next step is to try my cut off tool. Anyone done this before? Open to additional suggestions.
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Are these pictures before or after trying to loosen? Not sure what type of "lubricants" you tried but I see none in the pictures or it all evaporated. I suggest some PB Blaster and a propane torch to get them off or at least enough to get a cutoff wheel between the frame and shoulder.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Cut off disk. Done.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I bought a post hole digger at an auction. While loading it, I realized the large pivot pit was frozen. Wasted a lot of time trying to get it undone. I eventually sawed it off on the 2 ends, then took it to work and used a Bridgeport mill to drill it out with ever increasing sizes of drills.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Cutting torch or grinder. No use grunting or spraining your back on that ruined pin (ran loose so threads are boogered up) so just go to the tool that you have to cut it off. 1/16" thick cut off blades will work but so will a 1/8" grinder blade if you don't have the cut off blades, just takes a little more time to do is all.
If you have a 7 1/2" grinder just attack it from the outside, it is much easier to get to from there. Just cut it flush with the frame.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. As I thought, sounds like using the cut off will be the way to go... Just need to try and get the disk between the shoulder and the frame so I can get to the pin without gouging the frame too much.

As someone asked.....I used several different penetrating oils and let soak for quite some time, then used a propane torch, but could not get enough heat on it to do any good.

Once these pins come off, the plan is to remove as much of the rust as possible and move forward with the face lift.

 

[powerscol]

A sawzalll with a good metal blade will also resolve the issue quickly. Before that I would suggest trying the 50/50 Acetone/ATF mixture. I like synthetic ATF seems to work better. It has never failed me. I suggest heating up just the nut, then apply the mixture. Spray it every few minutes until cool, heat again and repeat. After the second application you should be able to break it free with a large pipe wrench.

Hope this helps

 

[The Deerslayer]

A sawzalll with a good metal blade will also resolve the issue quickly. Before that I would suggest trying the 50/50 Acetone/ATF mixture. I like synthetic ATF seems to work better. It has never failed me. I suggest heating up just the nut, then apply the mixture. Spray it every few minutes until cool, heat again and repeat. After the second application you should be able to break it free with a large pipe wrench.

Hope this helps

Ended up going with the sawzall and bimetal blade. Couple minutes later, good to go. I think it actually worked better than the grinder I was going to use as the blade was narrower and could fit between the blade frame and skirt on the pin. Thanks to all.

Now its time to use the air needler to get the rust off and prep for painting (once I find the best paint for the job)

 

[powerscol]

When you put the new one on, get some anti-seize paste. Just in case you need to take it off again. :confused3:

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[The Deerslayer]

When you put the new one on, get some anti-seize paste. Just in case you need to take it off again. :confused3:

Glad it worked out for you.

Great idea, thanks. Plan to take them off before painting, so will add the anti-seize then.

 

[adventure bob]

cutoff wheel=universal stuck nut removal wrench.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Now its time to use the air needler to get the rust off and prep for painting (once I find the best paint for the job)

I used some farm implement paint from my local Atwoods to paint my disc and a fertilizer distributor. It has been 3-4 years and it still is holding up well. IIRC it was about $20 or 25 a gallon.