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19-02-2013, 19:27
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7
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IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
Nearing the end of some upgrades, (LOL, nearing the end, only a fool would say that, guilty), and replaced the previously upgraded lower shroud chain plates from the single eye bolts version which had some rust on a couple of them ( Catalina Direct: Chainplate eyebolt retrofit kit for C-25, C-27) to the U-bolt kit with the heavy duty plates ( Catalina Direct: Chainplate U-Bolt Retrofit Kit C-27)
In the process, 2 of the closed turnbuckles ( Catalina Direct: Closed Body Turnbuckle 5/16
are still frozen after spraying them twice a day for a couple of weeks with loosening fluids and trying to get them to turn so we can adjust them to the new U-bolts which are different heights than the eye bolts.
I am hoping someone has a better idea, if not I guess it time to put some serious heat on them. I am hoping I can do this with minimal damage to the shrouds, because I don't want to have to buy new ones.
Thank you.
__________________
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality - Ayn Rand
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21-02-2013, 19:18
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#2
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX/Bocas del Toro, Panama
Boat: 1990 Macintosh 47, "Merlin"
Posts: 2,844
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
I'm assuming that you've used PB blaster and/or other products like it? Not just WD40.
Then it's time for heat. Usually the combination of PB blaster and heat frees things up.
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21-02-2013, 19:53
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
Those closed ones are a real bitch!
Before using heat try everything imaginable. Even some nitric acid to eat some of the rust. Even try diesel fuel. Tie a baggie around them so they are liquid tight and and fill it with diesel or Kroil, and let them soak submerged a couple days. Then see if they'll move. If so work them back and forth keeping them soaked in liquid, they should work loose.
The problem with heat on SS is it'll work-harden the materials and cause micro cracks. Also it could start galling and ruin the threads. If it seizes up while hot, that's it, they done/toast. Heat should be last resort on SS.
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
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22-02-2013, 00:35
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 39
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
I have heard of soaking in coca cola - no affiliation with the firm!
__________________
Sailbadoften
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23-02-2013, 09:42
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Now based on Florida's West coast
Boat: Pearson 34-II
Posts: 2,541
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
Dana, try PB Blaster. It is the best product I've used for frozen parts. You can also use heat(propane torch) if it is not excessive to break the apparent galvonic corrosion inside. Then, get rid of the closed turnbuckles and replace with open turnbuckles. In my opinion the closed turnbuckles are junk and have no place on a boat. Many of the Tawainese boats of the 70's and 80's used them and they are a complete disaster unless continually maintained and lubricated. Good luck and good sailing.
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23-02-2013, 09:58
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, Ontario
Boat: Hunter 340
Posts: 637
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
PB blaster should do it. Be careful as stainless steel is soft so it's easy to gall the threads. I have heard of using coca cola and also brown vinegar. Try everything and anything before you start using heat.
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23-02-2013, 10:14
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#7
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
pb blaster
coca cola
white vinegar
happy sails...
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23-02-2013, 10:32
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Diego
Boat: Farrier f27
Posts: 704
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
PB blaster does work pretty well usually, occasionally heat and when it's pretty hot use beeswax and it is drawn right into all the threads.
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23-02-2013, 15:32
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
When you finally unseize these, you will have to closely inspect them for galling or gnarly threads, etc. and be prepared to replace them, perhaps with open turnbuckles this time.
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23-02-2013, 16:11
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Boat: Mahe 36, Helia 44 Evo, MY 37
Posts: 5,731
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
If the PB blaster does not work then take a Dremel with a fiberglass reinforced cut-off wheel and score both ends as shown and then heat and stick a screw driver in the cut slots to open them.
Have had to do this before
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23-02-2013, 17:06
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Galveston,Texas
Boat: Flicka, 20' homebuilt
Posts: 82
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
Soak them in automatic transmission fluid over night and put in vice with a pin in the hole to keep from turning and unscrew them. Works perfect every time.
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23-02-2013, 17:06
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#12
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always in motion is the future
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 18,856
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The threaded rods should be stainless steel but the "housing" should be chromed bronze so that it's hard to get any galling. Stainless on stainless means it's shot I think...
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.
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26-02-2013, 11:00
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Niagara on the Lake Canada
Posts: 187
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
Cut off and replace new
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26-02-2013, 11:27
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#14
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Eternal Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tarpon Springs FL
Boat: Cabo Rico 38
Posts: 1,987
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
There is one trick I used to free a frozen distributor on an engine and that was to pack it in dry ice. Differential thermal expansion broke the corrosion. I don't know about where you live but our local supermarket sells dry ice. Just be careful how you handle it unless you want a nasty burn.
Rich
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26-02-2013, 11:37
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#15
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cruiser
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SF Bay Area; Former Annapolis and MA Liveaboard.
Boat: Looking and saving for my next...mid-atlantic coast
Posts: 6,197
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Re: IDEAS? Loosen a frozen turnbuckle
penetration oil
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