Deck Problems getting bolt off

[CRCermak 0]

Need some help. I can't get a bolt off of mower deck to remove cutting blade. I tried industrial strength liquid penetrant, loosens rust spray.  Still not coming off. I am now using a sledge hammer and old wrench to try an break it loose. Even used a map gas torch to the bolt and still not budging. Any ideas what I can do?  I got the other 2 blades off..

[slammer302 2,155]

i use a very big makita impact

[chorusguy 227]

I had the same problem.  U eventually had to drill several holes through the threads and split the nut off.  Then replaced the nuts with new ones.  

[chorusguy 227]

Wheelhorse made a special deck wrench.  Think it is 1&1/8" that was thin.  I bought  wrench from tractor supply and ground it down so it would fit between the blade and the deck.  Apparently the grass juice basically welds those nuts on.  I think someone suggested putting lithium grease on the threads when you replace the nuts.  A word of caution:  as I was trying to muscle my blades off I noticed some flexing around the spindle mounts on the deck.  I think it might be possible to bend the deck there as it is weaker because of the spindle mounting.  You won't be happy with the cut of your new blades if the are cutting at different angles.  

On a side note you might try this:  heat the nut with your torch and when you get it heated up good, shoot the spindle with a can of computer duster spray.  It comes out super cold.  The quick cooling may help break it loose.

[daveoman1966 3,745]

Usually a pneumatic impact wrench is best, but an electric one may also do the job.  If not, use a pneumatic die grinder with a thin cut-off wheel and cut into the nut as far as possible, making a 'notch' in the nut.  Then, set your cold chisel into that notch at a slight angle...then try to back it off that way. You'll ruin the nut but that's  a gimme already.
ps...If in fear of smashing your hand when holding that chisel, get an in-law to hold it for you.        

[CRCermak 0]

Thanks for all the replys.  I will do a follow up when I finally get the bolt off. I think my neighbor has a pneumatic impact wrench.  I will try that first. 

[squonk 41,016]

Take the deck down to where ever you have your car serviced and ask them to spin the nut off with an impact.

[tarcoleo 119]

First time I did what SQUONK said.  Worked.  Second time I partly cut the nut then split it and replaced
it USING PERMATEX ANTI SEIZE.  No third time in years.

Tom

[CRCermak 0]

Thanks everyone for the quick replys.  Being new to this site you guys are awesome on suggestions.  Ok I finally got the nut off the bolt this evening. I was going for the torque wrench option but I could not use the 1 1/8 socket because my nut was too damaged from using the old wrench and hammer dumb method I used.  Anyway I had to use a hacksaw very carefully cut 2 sides off close to the bolt threads but not cutting into them. After looking closely I saw a part of the bolt threads exposed at the bottom where I cut the nut corner off so I also sprayed a rust dissolving liquid penetrant in that area so it could soak up from the bottom. Well all that worked and it loosened so I could twist it off.  I think I am going to get a torque wrench. I should have started with that first.  Thanks again. Wish I could go to the wheel horse show this weekend I could probably get a lot of advise from wheel horse owners.

[doc724 925]

Do NOT use a torque wrench to take something off that is frozen.  You will go over the capacity of the wrench and it will be out of calibration.  Get a breaker bar, 1/2 inch or 3/4 drive or as others have suggested, an impact wrench. 

 

[Aldon 4,826]

Impact wrench, whether electric or pneumatic and or breaker bars are really a necessity when you tinker with old machines. And, as a note, I cracked a 1 1/8 inch craftsman standard socket removing the blade off my 60 inch C195 deck this past week. I knew better but did not have that size in the socket set for my air tools. 4 stores later, I had the correct socket and within 3 minutes had the stubborn nut acting submissive.....

Edited June 23, 2015 by Aldon

[Brian01 481]

Easiest way, in my opinion, is to use a small torch, just prop it up to where its heating the bolt, let it stay there for 10 minutes or more. It'll heat it up real good and come right out.

[CRCermak 0]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.  I was able to get the nut off with a hacksaw without damage to the bolt.   I did also use a torch and it helped.

[Brian01 481]

Not a problem

[Turk999 0]

Is it left loosely right tighty or are they left handed threads

[Dirtdog524 61]

The blade nut is lefty loosely, right tighty

[Lagersolut 648]

Getting the nuts off my deck blades was one of the many reasons I justified the expense of an air compressor to the management ( wife ) - broke more than one Craftsman 1/2" drive ratchet years ago with this task - after I got air and my impact , went on the bay and bought a single 1 1/8 " socket by Mac tools ( a good one ) just for this ....I think the socket cost me 3 or 4 bucks .

 

Had a neighbor a few years ago that bought a to mow , seen him for the longest time one afternoon banging around with the deck of this newly bought horse , my nose trouble got the best of me and I walked over to see what problems he was having - same thing ....he had every ratchet,  breaker bar and hammer on those nuts in the garage .....I says ....what if I told you I have an impact wrench ?    I don't think the PO ever had the blades off - took a little time with the impact .

 

He moved and that is in my garage now.

14 hours ago, Turk999 said:

Is it left loosely right tighty or are they left handed threads

 

No, they are not left threads

[squonk 41,016]

Important tip when buying impact tools: Do not use a chrome socket on an impact wrench. First they can shatter. 2nd a chrome socket is so hard it takes away some of the power of the wrench. It also wears the anvil of the wrench down faster. You can't see it but an impact socket actually distorts when hammering. As it tries to get back to normal shape it actually puts more torque on what ever you're trying to get off.

[Lagersolut 648]

37 minutes ago, squonk said:

Important tip when buying impact tools: Do not use a chrome socket on an impact wrench. First they can shatter. 2nd a chrome socket is so hard it takes away some of the power of the wrench. It also wears the anvil of the wrench down faster. You can't see it but an impact socket actually distorts when hammering. As it tries to get back to normal shape it actually puts more torque on what ever you're trying to get off.

 

I have two rails of impact sockets metric and standard - the standard ( Craftsman ) only go up to 1 1/16  - getting that single 1 1/8 off the bay was easier and cheaper than stepping up to the next rail of larger sockets and most are in the 3/4 drive range . If I remember right it took just a little searching finding that size impact in 1/2 drive.

[Digger 66 3,478]

One of these is also indispensable when tinkering with old stuff .

 

[Aldon 4,826]

I've seen some that have been peened over like a rivet. Rather than destroy the nut I grind off the deformed portion then use the air wrench. Penetrating oil as a prep step helps.