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[TowerTalk] heavily rusted anchor bolt/nut

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] heavily rusted anchor bolt/nut
From: kr2q@optimum.net
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 10:56:27 +0000 (GMT)
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Hi...

I am changing out the T-Bar base on my TX472.  

[You may recall, my old TX472 was bent at the base of the tower during H.Sandy. 
 The replacement tower has arrived]

I tried using my wrench to undo the 3 nuts (on 3 anchor bolts), but I wasn't 
able to budge them.  

Then I slid a six foot long, 2" OD mast over the end of the wrench and for two 
of them (barely rusted), they easily turned.

But one of the anchor bolts (1.125" diameter) the associated nut is heavily 
rusted, as is the bolt.  Over the weekend, I applied Naval Rust Dissolver Gel 
which sort of worked.  At least enough to demonstrate that the threads are 
still in tact.  I also showered it with Liquid Wrench (several times).

But even with the 6 foot long lever arm and "cautious" pressure, I was not able 
to budge the nut.  

I know that when nuts have "frozen" before on much smaller bolts (5/16" or 
3/8"), I have been able to (unfortunately) break the bolt instead of loosing 
the nut while applying "lots" of rotational torque on the nut.  While a 1.125" 
diameter bolt seems pretty hefty, I am concerned about doing the same (yeah, 
sounds ridiculous)..and then I"ll really be out of luck.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks,
de Doug KR2Q
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