Rusty Nuts Removal

So I've got a piece of exhaust shield that is rattling. I think it is attached to the fuel tank. The two nuts that hold it in place no longer grip the piece as it has worn and come free leaving two larger holes than the (non)retaining nuts. I want to remove the nuts and try install large washers to hold it. However, the nuts are very rusted. It looks like there are a couple of blue nylon threaded inserts that retain the nuts. These rotate with the nuts despite me trying to grip them with a pliers.

I have prised of the piece and you can see the nuts in place sitting in the blue retainers. Anyone got any useful hints as to how I might remove the nuts?






EDIT: They are actually bolts, not nuts. Hex bolts.

There was absolutely no intention to raise any eyebrows with that topic heading David.

Firstly, he couldn’t possibly remain our leader without his nuts, so there is no fear there.

Secondly, I would be guessing M6 bolts. Spanner size is 10 mm. There is a white plastic base which looks to be mounted into the tank. Then there is a blue plastic piece that looks to be mounted into the white piece. It looks as though the blue piece is threaded and that is what accepts the bolt.

The blue mount just turns with the bolt. I have thought about drilling a couple of holes into the blue piece and then try to claw into that with something to keep a hold of it. But, all it takes is some clever craicer to suggest something smarter and I’ll give it a go. WD40, hammer etc. etc.

I can’t knock the bolt through. It’s got to get pulled out.

Try using a claw hammer to wedge the bolt head and insert apart while turning the bolt.
Are the inserts pressed into the metal or is there something holding them behind the pressed metal piece?

if there is enough room you could get a small pair of vice grips to hold the blue part or a pair of needle nose pliers/vice grips.

Wow, the ideas are coming fast and furious.



I cannot borrow a nut gun, but my socket wrench gives me plenty of torque if only the base would stop spinning Pat.



I see what you're saying Bounder. I can try but don't think i'll manage to insert the claw in between the two. As to how it is put together, well the close up pic of the bolt sitting inside the blue piece, which sits inside the white piece, which is somehow mounted inside the plastic tank, is really all I can say. It seems a bit elaborate. Obviously the shield was removed for that pic.



I was thinking something along the same lines David. Although i didn't think about going through the white piece, just through the blue piece. your suggestion is probably better. It might give me more of an anchor.



I was trying to think of a 'pliers with teeth' type of tool. That sounds like its worth a go.

Good suggestions. I think Ill try Petie and Daffys suggestions before I do anything else. Cheers.

EDIT: Just to add to how I think it is all put together, I did wonder if the blue piece might actually be some kind of spacer, rather than a threaded retainer. In which case maybe it is of no consequence that it spins with the bolt. But if that is the case, the bolt still isn't coming out. It just spins forever.

I take it that’s the diesel tank be careful what ever you do the quick way out of this is get a tube of tec 7 and glue it back on then a good dollop around the nuts it will never come off ( the easiest way is always the best )

Success! As the pics show, the suggestion to grip the blue retainer with a toothed crimping tool did work. First prize goes to Petie, well done. There's a four pack of toilet rolls coming your way. It didn't seem like it was going to work but I persevered. It occurred to me that if the crimper wasn't going to grip it, I was going to try tighten up a jubilee clip around the retainer real good and tight, and then use a vice grip to hold it. But no need.

Now I am sure that regular washers will not help hold the heat shield in place. I need larger plates. I'll just have to head down to my local B&Q and pick up . . . eh .. some .. . I'll just have to pilfer around the garden shed and see if I can take apart something that looks like I might not need to use again and it might have some interesting shaped scrap metal I can cannibalise. i might as well do it now before I go give myself a haircut.

So are hardware stores.

Glad that worked for you Jason,if your stuck for large washers just drill a hole in a piece of tin and then cut the tin to an ideal size,failing that use two jam jar lids as a temporary solution. p s cant wait to receive the toilet roll.

In the meantime !

Bum gun

Someone tell that idiot you can’t remove rusty nuts with a hose.

That pic should be in the ‘Caption This’ section .

Maybe all the water caused it.