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.
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Thread: Marquip Sea stairs
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Marquip Sea stairs
ENUFF. 1983 53MY.Hull #617 Barnegat Light Nj.
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Re: Marquip Sea stairs
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.
SEVEN
1979 53' MY Hull #563
Antioch, California
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03-04-2019 06:24 PM #3Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 2,771
Re: Marquip Sea stairs
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
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03-04-2019 07:08 PM #4
Re: Marquip Sea stairs
I remember putting King pins for a 70-'s Moho in the freezer.....
1978 53' Motor Yacht "LADY KAY V"
Hull number 524
Chesapeake Bay
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Re: Marquip Sea stairs
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.
ENUFF. 1983 53MY.Hull #617 Barnegat Light Nj.
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Re: Marquip Sea stairs
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.
SEVEN
1979 53' MY Hull #563
Antioch, California
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03-04-2019 08:41 PM #7Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Posts
- 1,001
Re: Marquip Sea stairs
The easiest way to remove the old caster is to drill a hole above the shaft and drive it out with a punch. If you do a nice job it will look like it was supposed to be there. On the stair side bolts if you can heat and remove the other bolts you may be able to expose it enough of the broken one to get vise grips on the stub.
I had a broken SS bolt in a bottom step and I wound up taking it to a machine shop where they were unable to remove the bolt. In the end they cut away the alloy, removed the broken bolt and built up the step with weld, then drilled and tapped for a new bolt.Michael & Beth
Hull Number CV312
63’ Cockpit Motor Yacht
1986 model launched in August 1987
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03-04-2019 11:39 PM #8
Re: Marquip Sea stairs
When you put it all back together use tef-gel on everything. Make sure to use good quality 316 stainless bolts/nuts not the junk from Low’s or Home Depot.
If it ain't broke don't break it by fixing it!
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Re: Marquip Sea stairs
If you use tef gel plan on tightening the bolts everytime you use the ladder. They will work out quickly, this is why Marquipt used lock tight. I used the temp lock tight on one of the bolts and I needed to tighten it every time I went to the boat. I finally used the permanent lock tight. Problem solved.
SEVEN
1979 53' MY Hull #563
Antioch, California
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Re: Marquip Sea stairs
I finally got the casters off. Three popped right out with a touch of heat but the last one needed to be punched out from the top. I have a new respect for aluminum, the way I was pounding on it I was just waiting for something else to break but everything held up. Now where do I get replacements at. I read prior posts but I get blank screens when I go to the recommended Website. I did a google check but can't find the same stem type with the friction ring.
ENUFF. 1983 53MY.Hull #617 Barnegat Light Nj.