How to fix stuck CK head bolts?

jaap · 21st May 2008, 21:14

Hi

I would like to separate the CK head from the casing. Problem is the two bolts that go through the spine, they are stuck really bad.

I don't really need to take it apart, but I would like to (thinking about using a different case). I asked a few CK divers, my instructor and emailed Jetsam about it a few weeks ago, no reply and no good solutions so far.

Tried soaking the unit in fresh water, tried with enough leverage to the point that the bolt slots start to deform. Using any more brute force would probably just shear the bolts or something like that. Spraying a little 5-56 and going at it again didn't help either.

Did anyone else have this problem and did you come up with a good (gentle) way of solving it?

I'm not that determined to take it apart so nothing like drilling the bolts out and stuff. Did think about perhaps having a little go with a penumatic impact driver?

jkaterenchuk · 21st May 2008, 21:19

I had the same problem and posted about the problem with SS bolts into AL spline. They were in solid. I had to drill them out.

John

PaulTG2 · 21st May 2008, 21:28

Hello,

Is the problem with the SS bolt corroded to the case or with the bolt shafts fixed in the head itself?

-p

Burrendive · 21st May 2008, 23:31

I've been trying to undo the same bolts recently. But to no avail yet. I was presuming that the bolts that hold the head to the casing were not threaded through the spine. But passed though a smooth bore in the AL spine and were only threaded into the head. Can someone that can take their unit apart correct me on this?

John

Andy Del · 22nd May 2008, 04:49

The bolts go through a hole drilled in the spine, no threads, and are threaded into the head.

Catch is, all the corrosion from the dissimilar metals ends up gunking around the threads of the bolt and gluing it to the ally spine. you'll need to disolve some of this gunk. Try using household vinegar, just pour on and let it soak in.

Another alternative is to use a hammer driver, albeit gently to loosen up the bolts.

Good luck!

cheers

Andy

Ben Field · 22nd May 2008, 08:38

I have the same issue, although for some strange reason one bolt came out first time and the other is stuck in the spine badly.

I had hoped to remove them and then reattach the head with a quick release of some kind to make fitting the CL's easier (fit them with the head off then clip the whole thing onto the CL case)

jaap · 22nd May 2008, 09:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by Andy Del)

The bolts go through a hole drilled in the spine, no threads, and are threaded into the head.

Catch is, all the corrosion from the dissimilar metals ends up gunking around the threads of the bolt and gluing it to the ally spine. you'll need to disolve some of this gunk. Try using household vinegar, just pour on and let it soak in.

Another alternative is to use a hammer driver, albeit gently to loosen up the bolts.

Good luck!

cheers

Andy

Thanks, good to hear the spine is not threaded. Will have a go at dissolving the corrosion.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field)

I have the same issue, although for some strange reason one bolt came out first time and the other is stuck in the spine badly.

I had hoped to remove them and then reattach the head with a quick release of some kind to make fitting the CL's easier (fit them with the head off then clip the whole thing onto the CL case)

Yes, some have changed the bolts that secure the backplate to threaded rods so that wing nuts can be used for the backplate. Using the same backplate all the time one could perhaps expand on it by making custom holes in the backplate for the head rods too. Replacing the bolts with threaded rods secured by locking or wing nuts?

21st May 2008, 21:14	#1 (permalink)
jaap Normal people worry me Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR RB80 / Clone Ray Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR RB80 / Clone Ray Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 451	How to fix stuck CK head bolts? Hi I would like to separate the CK head from the casing. Problem is the two bolts that go through the spine, they are stuck really bad. I don't really need to take it apart, but I would like to (thinking about using a different case). I asked a few CK divers, my instructor and emailed Jetsam about it a few weeks ago, no reply and no good solutions so far. Tried soaking the unit in fresh water, tried with enough leverage to the point that the bolt slots start to deform. Using any more brute force would probably just shear the bolts or something like that. Spraying a little 5-56 and going at it again didn't help either. Did anyone else have this problem and did you come up with a good (gentle) way of solving it? I'm not that determined to take it apart so nothing like drilling the bolts out and stuff. Did think about perhaps having a little go with a penumatic impact driver? __________________ My initials: JAAP
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21st May 2008, 21:19	#2 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 827	Re: How to fix stuck CK head bolts? I had the same problem and posted about the problem with SS bolts into AL spline. They were in solid. I had to drill them out. John
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21st May 2008, 21:28	#3 (permalink)
PaulTG2 Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 425	Re: How to fix stuck CK head bolts? Hello, Is the problem with the SS bolt corroded to the case or with the bolt shafts fixed in the head itself? -p
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21st May 2008, 23:31	#4 (permalink)
Burrendive New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 9	Re: How to fix stuck CK head bolts? I've been trying to undo the same bolts recently. But to no avail yet. I was presuming that the bolts that hold the head to the casing were not threaded through the spine. But passed though a smooth bore in the AL spine and were only threaded into the head. Can someone that can take their unit apart correct me on this? John
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22nd May 2008, 04:49	#5 (permalink)
Andy Del Classic KISSer Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Australia, Sunny Sydney Posts: 422	Re: How to fix stuck CK head bolts? The bolts go through a hole drilled in the spine, no threads, and are threaded into the head. Catch is, all the corrosion from the dissimilar metals ends up gunking around the threads of the bolt and gluing it to the ally spine. you'll need to disolve some of this gunk. Try using household vinegar, just pour on and let it soak in. Another alternative is to use a hammer driver, albeit gently to loosen up the bolts. Good luck! cheers Andy __________________ Yellow - the colour of greatness!
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22nd May 2008, 08:38	#6 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,621	Re: How to fix stuck CK head bolts? I have the same issue, although for some strange reason one bolt came out first time and the other is stuck in the spine badly. I had hoped to remove them and then reattach the head with a quick release of some kind to make fitting the CL's easier (fit them with the head off then clip the whole thing onto the CL case) __________________ Know your PPO2, Pre-breath, Use checklists, Validate cells at 6mtrs, Use pure O2 at or near surface, Use a BOV, Don't dive Solo, Change Slime and Cells as recommended by Manufacturer and RTFM! Beware Fridge Suck! www.hugsac.org.uk
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22nd May 2008, 09:20	#7 (permalink)
jaap Normal people worry me Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR RB80 / Clone Ray Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR RB80 / Clone Ray Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 451	Re: How to fix stuck CK head bolts? Quote: (Originally Posted by Andy Del) The bolts go through a hole drilled in the spine, no threads, and are threaded into the head. Catch is, all the corrosion from the dissimilar metals ends up gunking around the threads of the bolt and gluing it to the ally spine. you'll need to disolve some of this gunk. Try using household vinegar, just pour on and let it soak in. Another alternative is to use a hammer driver, albeit gently to loosen up the bolts. Good luck! cheers Andy Thanks, good to hear the spine is not threaded. Will have a go at dissolving the corrosion. Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field) I have the same issue, although for some strange reason one bolt came out first time and the other is stuck in the spine badly. I had hoped to remove them and then reattach the head with a quick release of some kind to make fitting the CL's easier (fit them with the head off then clip the whole thing onto the CL case) Yes, some have changed the bolts that secure the backplate to threaded rods so that wing nuts can be used for the backplate. Using the same backplate all the time one could perhaps expand on it by making custom holes in the backplate for the head rods too. Replacing the bolts with threaded rods secured by locking or wing nuts? __________________ My initials: JAAP
(Offline)

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