Marquip Sea stairs

[MadHatter53]

I need to replace the wheels/casters and cannot get ANY movement. What's the trick? I have them soaking in WD, it's low 30's here so I'm trying to shake off some cabin fever. I also need to replace some bolts that hold the steps to the side rails. I had one step that was missing both top side bolts and when trying to remove an orig bolt it snapped. So now I'm soaking everything in WD. The bolts are stainless and drilling them out is gonna suck or be impossible.

[SEVEN]

WD40 will not help. The bolts are put in with Lock Tight permanent hold. To remove or tighten you have to get the metal almost red hot with a torch. You have to do the same when removing the broken bolts. Drill out the broken bolt and use an easy out. Heat it up and back it out slowly. The wheels are probably corroded to the frame. It will also come out with a crowbar and heat. Hope this helps.

[Walter P]

I agree with Seven, but be very careful with the torch as aluminum has a much lower melting point
than steel. That being said, alum has a higher expansion coefficient than steel when heated so I would
go carefully with the torch to the alum and try to move the steel part at the same time. Do not heat
for too long otherwise the heat will be absorbed by the steel and you will effectively nullify your effort
as the steel will also start to expand. When I was in the firearms manufacturing business years ago we
had some rifle actions that had a chrome moly steel insert heat shrunk into 7075 T6 alum (very hard
grade of alum). We would heat the alum part to approx 700 degrees F. and at the same time freeze
the steel part in dry ice. This shrunk the steel and expanded the alum sleeve so a very rapid insertation
effectively made the two pieces become one. What you are trying to do is exactly the opposite. I think
it will work. Let us know...

Walt

[oscarvan]

I remember putting King pins for a 70-'s Moho in the freezer.....

[MadHatter53]

I was able to get one bolt out to find a match but I stopped there. I suppose friction hold the casters in place because they aren't budging. I'll try again with a fresh tank of mapp gas.

[SEVEN]

It’s a two person job for both. Take your time. Once it gets hot enough to loosen the lock tight out they come. Best of luck.