Anyone Ever Tried This?

[chesbaycruiser 83]

I was looking at the steering wheel from my 312 project that I need to remove, and also looking at my new, larger e-tank, and I got to wonderin'....would a day or two soaking in the tank help break the wheel loose? (Roll pin is already out.)

Any thoughts? Anyone ever tried breaking rusted parts with the e-tank?

Thanks,

Chris

[linen beige 14]

I've not put a steering shaft/wheel into a tank, but I have soaked a few assemblies that were rusted up pretty solid. A bit of soaking and they unscrewed like new parts.

I don't see how it could hurt. :notworthy:

[sorekiwi 761]

Actually electrolysis is awesome at freeing up rusted together parts.

When I moved into my house I found a couple of 50's vintage Craftsman ratchets that were frozen solid. They came free after about 3 hours in my tank, and I now use them.

It also works really well freeing up frozen choke and throttle cables.

Have at it!

[Save Old Iron 1,566]

Chris, go for it.

If you already decided to soak the shaft area with penetrant, you will need to clean off the penetrant with solvent. Carb cleaner is best as it is a halogenated cleaner that reacts (cleans) just about everything.

Oil will not allow the electrolyte (water) to make direct contact with the area you would like to clean / loosen.

Again, any aluminum parts will pit and any stainless parts will make your electrolyte into a toxic chromate solution.

[bitten 134]

I have been thinking about doing this to break loose wheel hubs.

[chesbaycruiser 83]

If you already decided to soak the shaft area with penetrant, you will need to clean off the penetrant with solvent. ......Oil will not allow the electrolyte (water) to make direct contact with the area you would like to clean / loosen.

Thanks for the tip Chuck! It has indeed been getting regular shots of PBB. Will give it a good solvent bath before proceeding!

:notworthy:

[rickv1957 72]

I will be interrested to see how this works,Rick