Any ideas on how to get these FCT knobs unstuck?

[sbaker]

Hi! I have a '98 air with the "FCT" from new dimensions and I haven't had any luck getting the knobs unstuck. I've tried multi-week pbblaster and torquing on them as much as can by hand and with some big vice grips with no luck.


My guess is that they're fully rusted in and I should just give up now, though if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them! I fear if I bring out the big guns, I'll just end up either breaking the knob or snapping the screw part inside the tower, in which I'd be SOL.

[MN Ryan]

Yikes. I'm glad I put anti-sieze on mine!

[biacs]

Have you tried having someone shake / wiggle the tower while you try and twist the knob? It could be sitting at a tweaked angle w constant pressure.

Not sure if using a small torch would burn the finish on the tower.


FWIW I had to cut access holes behind the front seat cushions and tighten the giant FCT anchor bolts too :-)

[jpwhit]

How are you getting the penetrating oil into the threads given the orientation of the knob? If you can disconnect the feet on one side such that you can flip the tower over, then gravity will help pull the penetrating oil into the threads. biacs suggestion of trying to take pressure off is good advice. I would also try heating the knob with a heat gun. The kind you buy at the hardware store to strip paint. Getting the knob really hot will cause it to expand and loosen the pressure on the threads. Heat it quickly and try turning it as soon as it's hot. You want the knob to be hotter than the bolt inside. You can even try wrapping an ice pack around the pipe on the other side of the cross bar to cool the bolt. Again, easier if it's upside down so water drips away from the knob.

[G23 GonZaga]

have someone tap it with a Hammer. Put a towel of something so you don't damage the paint. You should be applying torque as they are tapping them. I used aerokroil and let it absorb it for a day. that;s how I got mine out. good luck. I will also tap the knob it self before you start torquing it ..

[biacs]

have someone tap it with a Hammer. Put a towel of something so you don't damage the paint. You should be applying torque as they are tapping them. I used aerokroil and let it absorb it for a day. that;s how I got mine out. good luck. I will also tap the knob it self before you start torquing it ..

you can make your own kroil - 50% ATF and 50% Acetone. I keep it in a Zepp Spray bottle :-)

[Jonny Quest]

How is your PB Blaster getting onto the threads? Perhaps drilling a small hole that you can fit the little red squirt "straw" thing directly onto the top of the threads. Let it soak for a while.

JQ