A lesson learnt - Carrying stuff without roofbars

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:13 pm

Hi All, some of you will know that I attached some brackets to the roof of my Bongo instead of roofbars which I then used for strapping down a surf board. This solution works really well but the reason I did it was I needed something sorted quickly for the weekend and it was supposed to be a temporary solution.

Nearly a year later I decided to see if I could retrofit some old roof bars instead but.................they are jammed solid because I didn't use stainless steel screw (damn fool !!!!!)

When I fitted the brackets I thought 'I must get some stainless screws' but somehow I didn't get round to it.

The upshot is that the brackets are well and truely rusted into the mounting holes - they simply will not budge even after a week of being sprayed with oil, WD40 and any other lubricant in the garage.

So :

1) Do as I say not as I do - if you are fitting stuff to the roof use stainless steel (or at least grease well and remember to take them off when finished with)
2) Anyone know where I can get replacement threaded colletts from if I rip out the originals ?

Baaaaah humbug.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:20 pm

as a last resort soak em in coka cola..seriously try it. Happy motoring.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:53 pm

On another thread (below) the owner used vinegar for a corroded zip, also heard it was good for loosening rusted nuts/bolts.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=12313

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:20 pm

Plus Gas is the only thing that works for me.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:38 am

Coka cola is a waste of time. The phosphoric acid in it is so diluted as to be virtually useless. The fact is that any liquid will creep into the joint and provide some lubrication. More concentrated phosphoric is the thing to try but I don't think it will work here. I reckon you will have to drill them out to avoid pulling out the inserts. Use plenty of cutting fluid and keep the drill cool to avoid melting the roof.

Normally I would just use a bit of heat but you stuffed because of the roof material. Good luck.

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:34 am

Not sure I'll be able to drill them out accurately enough not to damage the threads. I'll try coke round the nuts (I'll try anything once

) but I cant see it working better than wd40 etc.

Thanks All

boyfrombrasil · Post by **boyfrombrasil** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:40 pm

Ice....

Actually, something called Rost-off Ice made by Wurth. For all intensive purposes its a very cold version of WD40 but much better.

No heat so no damage, freeze spray will probably work just as well in conjunction with WD40, buy from a plumbers merchants.

Basically contraction as opposed to expansion in order to break the seal.....

dobby · Post by **dobby** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:54 pm

Aren't the captive nuts glued in? Didn't somebody have them come out? maybe that will be easier?

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:02 am

Hi Dobby, that's what I was thinking - remove them completely then replace (or reuse if possible). I'll have a ig around for the post but if anyone else knows how feasible this is please make comment

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:12 am

You can glue them back in again with a flexible glue (like sikaflex automotive adhesive) but they won' be quite as strong. Probably what you will end up doing though. Or just leave them as they are - it's worked fine for the last year.

dobby · Post by **dobby** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:13 am

I think this was it:

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... t=araldite

I searched using 'Araldite' as a key word

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:08 pm

Thanks guys, that's the one. They are fixed good and solid so I haven't any worries about using them again, what I wanted to do though was put some roofbars on. I'll have a good read of the link.