Side rails on a M

[S2710]

I have a M that I am getting ready to paint and I want to take the side rails off to clean them. The problem is i put a socket on and a breaker bar and they didn't move. ( 4 bolts on each side on front bolster ) I do not want to twist them off so I was wondering if any one has a special trick to get them loose. Thank You

Bob

 

[Paul G. in Mn]

it doesnt take much for them to break off. those holes were really bad on my 39 M and ended up haveing to helicoiling mine. My parts tractor they all broke.

 

[glennster]

i am doing the same to an m at the shop. what i did for the bolster bolts, most of the holes go thru the casting to the inside. remove the mud shield (if its still there) clean up the holes and spray em up good with pb blaster. on the head side, tap the heads with a hammer to scare em a little, then also spray em up. do this for a couple days. i put the 1/2 impact on em, set at low power and just rattle them (dont try and remove em) spray em up again and let em soak.. then come back and use the impact on them. a breaker bar seems to snap them off more than using an impact.

 

[LenND]

When I take off wheel bolts that are froze like that the first time I use the impact wrench I try to tighten the bolt just a little. Sometimes it will crack them loose. Len

 

[Allan in NE]

Leave 'em on as it's gonna turn ugly on ya.

You're almost 100% guaranteed the bolts will snap.

Allan

 

[moonlite 37]

ake a 3 pound hammer and hit the head like you were driving the bolt in and then try the wrench again. If this does not work go to Allan's plan. I learned this trick from an old shop foreman just before he told me to drill out the last 5 thst I had twisted off. That old rascal could have told me about this after the first one but waited until I had tristed off five of them. It improved memory!

 

[Mike L]

Heat them up with a torch make them red hot
let them cool do this three times on the fourth
heat use a wrench and turn them out.
if you dont have a torch leave them alone.

 

[CHIEFEAVES]

I think I twisted 5 or 6 off but was able to drill them out once the bolster was removed. Ran a die tap through them and had no problem replacing them with new bolts. Did apply anti-siege to the replacements. Good Luck
Harley

 

[Dellbertt]

soak with PBBlaster or your choice and let set for a day then tap both sides with a hammer. Light repeated tapping is more important than hard tapping.

If that doesnt work heat will do it.