Dinghy Outboard Clamps Stuck - help ideas?

[argalax]

Hi cruisers.


After being unused for some time, the clamps which tie outboard to dingy stern become seized (sp) / stuck and would not turn. (see pic).

Tried plenty of WD40 Silicone lubricant, some teflon penetrating oil, all with plenty of torque. Tired some heat using small torch as well.
All no help.

Pretty sure applying more levered torque will brake the handles.


Any suggestions on how to make clamps turn again will be appreciated.


Thanks,
--
Alex

[carlosproa]

You may not like this but it works:
- if heating the bracket does not help then
- buy brake fluid and submerge the each bolt for one day using a small plastic container, try to have at the middle of the container a hole and cut an access line so you can fit it with the bolt diameter
- if that does not work then drill a small hole on the side of the aluminum casing and make sure you reach the edge of the bolt. Repeat the brake fluid inmersión for 24 hours.
- if you break the plastic handles is not too bad. You can then use a pressure clamp plier or an adjustable plier and use pressure to make small movements until you can turn the bolt

[thomm225]

Break the handles and toss in the trash then use a crescent wrench. (8" crescent compared to 2"-3" handles works much better)

I think my plastic handles lasted a year or two on my 5 hp outboard before I broke them off.......had that engine 11 years

Put some oil on the threads (or something similar) when you get it loosened up.

[LakeSuperior]

Use more heat...via a small propane torch.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Use more heat...via a small propane torch.

The handles are plastic and split apart as you apply pressure.

They are hardly worth the effort........

[steamgoat]

Two hammers may work,hit both sides of a clamp at the same time,several times.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by steamgoat

Two hammers may work,hit both sides of a clamp at the same time,several times.

What?

Don't go beating on the engine to save a couple plastic clamps..........

[Jammer]

Get some JB-80 and spray the bolts every morning and night. Spray both ends of each bolt where it meets the aluminum. Do it for a week then try to turn the bolts with a pipe wrench or vise grip. If they don't turn spray the bolts every morning or night. It may take several weeks, but they will come loose.


Once they move just a little, wiggle them back and forth to work the oil in, and keep doing that for like a couple hundred wiggles until they turn easily.


Yes it does require patience and no it isn't much fun.

[JPA Cate]

Yeah, Tom, steamgoat's plan often helps, banging the bit with the hammers from opposite sides at the same time helps break up any oxidation on the threads.

OP: We've had very good luck with the 1/2 and 1/2 mix of acetone and ATF* for penetrating oil.

Ann

[ggray]

And last resort:

Cut off "bolt" close to where it screws into bracket, and drill out the bolt until it's weakened and you can remove it.

I had one freeze on me 40 years ago, and had to do this. The "bolt" was aluminum, so easy to drill.

But learned my lesson, kept them greased, and it hasn't happened again.

[argalax]

Thanks for the suggestions, all.
Will try.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by ggray

And last resort:

Cut off "bolt" close to where it screws into bracket, and drill out the bolt until it's weakened and you can remove it.

I had one freeze on me 40 years ago, and had to do this. The "bolt" was aluminum, so easy to drill.

But learned my lesson, kept them greased, and it hasn't happened again.

I think they are still aluminum but either way an 8" crescent will usually quite easily break the bolts free.

As I said before, the plastic handle connection starts to split open with any sort of pressure applied.

My engine is either having salt water splashed on it or it's a foot or two above salt water all the time with very few rinses

So each year when I remove for maintenance the crescent wrench works great. I usually oil the threads each year also

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri0c5GnZ1I8

[rslifkin]

Was it actually established that these handles are plastic? My Nissan/Tohatsu dinghy outboard has metal handles on the clamp screws, for example.

[thomm225]

The handleson my Mercury / Tohatsu 5 hp were plastic.

photo of outboard with bolts minus handles in 2018

[argalax]

My handles are plastic (Yamaha). One already broke :-(
Also, there is a lubricating hole on the side of casing.