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Old 26-04-2022, 21:08   #1
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how to loosen BIG nuts?

wanting to remove my gearbox
thus, trying to lift my engine ‘up 6 inches’ and ‘forward 6 inches’

Lister STW 3. LH150 gearbox - burnt out clutch

struggling to loosen the 4 x 15/16th nuts
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any suggestions?
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Old 26-04-2022, 21:32   #2
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

I wouldnt describe them as big nuts but an impact wrench ( aka rattle gun) will make short work of them especially if you spray them with penetrating oil & leave overnight before hitting with a rattle gun.
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Old 26-04-2022, 21:49   #3
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

Yeah, nut bigness is all relative... I had to buy 3/4" drive 1-1/4 to 3-1/2" sockets to work on my tractor. 4ft floor jack handle gets used as a cheater on the breaker bar, sometimes with me jumping on the end of it.

As stated, penetrating oil at least overnight, then impact gun or a breaker bar (using at least 1/2" drive sockets) or a piece of pipe on your ratchet handle to give you more leverage (using a proper breaker bar recommended, or lifetime guarantee rachets and due care you don't get hurt or break something if the ratchet fails.

If using an extension on the socket be mindful to support the top of it and not get off-axis as you're pulling.
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Old 26-04-2022, 21:51   #4
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

Those nuts would normally come off pretty easily (to align the engine, periodically), but your mounts look like they’re totally corroded to death. If you are moving the engine anyway, I’d say cut the bolt off with an angle grinder and replace them. If you can get them loose as compas79 said above, so much the better, but replace them regardless.....

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Old 27-04-2022, 00:39   #5
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

I had the same problem with my big nuts. My issue was that the torque I applied to the nut was absorbed by twisting the rubber in the mount. The nut was screwed to a stud that was welded to a metal plate that was bonded to the rubber. I had to stop the twist by restraining the metal plate with mole grips or an adjustable spanner, wedged up against something firm. Then, using a breaker bar, all the torque was transferred to the nut and hay presto! In my experience on automobiles, using a rattle gun on parts that are bonded into rubber/plastic mouldings, just shears the bond with the moulding, rather than loosening the nut. Good luck!.
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Old 27-04-2022, 02:41   #6
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

use a BIG spanner (sorry, couldn't resist it)
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Old 27-04-2022, 02:43   #7
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mlydon View Post
Those nuts would normally come off pretty easily (to align the engine, periodically), but your mounts look like they’re totally corroded to death. If you are moving the engine anyway, I’d say cut the bolt off with an angle grinder and replace them. If you can get them loose as compas79 said above, so much the better, but replace them regardless.....

Matt
The bracket would likely be in the way to use a decent angle grinder.
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Old 27-04-2022, 03:02   #8
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

If you want to avoid too much brutality, start by heating the nut from the side with a propane/buthane flame Ø 10 - 15 mm so that it gets really hot. If you after that can not just use a wrench, then the rattle gun will fix it easily.
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Old 27-04-2022, 03:06   #9
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

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Originally Posted by Hermia II View Post
If you want to avoid too much brutality, start by heating the nut from the side with a propane/buthane flame Ø 10 - 15 mm so that it gets really hot. If you after that can not just use a wrench, then the rattle gun will fix it easily.
Certainly would NOT do that, as it will damage the rubber mount below it and probably render them useless. Knowing how much some engine mounts can be to replace, I would do my best to not damage them unless they are already beyond redemption. There is also the very real risk of igniting the rubber with attendant toxic fumes and fire risk.
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Old 27-04-2022, 03:09   #10
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

Drill down vertically on both sides of the nut with an electric drill then split the nut with a cold chisel. That way you will salvage the engine mount and only need to replace the split nuts.
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Old 27-04-2022, 03:22   #11
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

if you could get a pneumatic impact wrench and air compressor on the boat it would be easier that injuring your knuckles or worse.
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Old 27-04-2022, 03:45   #12
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

How to remove big nuts? In Australia we do that by voting.
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Old 27-04-2022, 03:52   #13
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

If you’re going to use an impact gun they sell battery powered impact guns. Check Milwaukee for some nice ones.
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Old 27-04-2022, 04:33   #14
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

If you will be purchasing tools for this project, I would suggest a torque multiplier. It will be handy when the time to fix the keel bolts/nuts comes.
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Old 27-04-2022, 04:51   #15
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Re: how to loosen BIG nuts?

Here is where experience would make a difference. Finding an experienced bolt turner might be a big help.

That being said. I would go with a bigger wrench. Get a 1/2" drive breaker bar, extension and socket. Put constant tension on it and increase it feeling for movement. There is a lot of feel in getting something like this off in one piece.

An impact wrench might be a good items or it could break the stud.

For penetrating fluid a 50:50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid was found to be the best in various tests.

Yes, I have had my share of getting things apart that dont want to. I play with antique restoration.
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