It's started !

[t-tony]

My mate Graham called tonight with his set of shiny and sharp Cobalt drill bits, and this happened.

The only one of 80 bolts which rounded out on me. The wheel is in the boot for loosening all the others and getting the tyre off tomorrow then to split the parts. A wheel a day should see them all split this week.

Tony.

 

[Low Rider]

Nice one Tony I bet they'll look great once done

 

[t-tony]

I'm sure they will Steve thank you, just got to decide on the colour(s) now. I was relieved to get that knackered bolt head off as easily as it did ! Going to place the wheel on one of the fitting machines at work tomorrow as that will hold it whilst I loosen the others. Then whip the tyre off and remove all other bolts and part the two pieces, sounds easy ................................ Repeat for the next three days.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

Great work Tony,you were lucky to only get one awkward bolt .
With me and my luck they'd all be stuck fast .
Looking forward to seeing that lovely lime green and tango orange colour combo .

 

[t-tony]

You been peeking too? TBH I was happy to get off that lightly Steve, but I did loosen them with the car standing on the wheels so all I had to concern me was keeping the tool in the bolt head properly. It almost worked

Tony.

ps. I have some ideas

 

[Sean d]

Did you get the stud out ok pal

 

[t-tony]

Did you get the stud out ok pal

I'll tell you tomorrow mate, once I get this wheel split, I think there should be about 10-12mm of stud sticking out for me to get hold of. Thinking of using the thick rubber mat that the outside tyre fitters use for truck tyres and putting them in the press to part them. Will try this one and see how it goes !

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Got the tyre removed by Jamie this dinner and left the wheel on the tyre machine. Loosened all the bolts with my long 1/2" ratchet by a couple of turns then got my air ratchet to run them out.
Down in the workshop I got my hide/copper mallet out and using the hide end gave a fair smack at the base of each spoke and the centre came out easily.
Then to the remains of the bolt we had to drill the head off last night.

First I tried my flat jawed Mole grips but it wasn't going to budge, So I used my mini gas torch to heat the stud.

After a few minutes of heat it finally started to move and it came out ok.

This little torch is very handy for these type of jobs @mrscalex it heats up to 1300 Deg.C.

One down three to go.

Tony.

 

[Sean d]

Nice one pal, I had to heat mine to get the stud out and also used a mallet to split them apart from one that needed a lump hammer, have you decided on a colour yet, there is a nice new black that range rover use, it has a red side tone and believe it or not it has a pigment in it that is £640 + VAT per litre,

 

[t-tony]

Not decided on a colour yet Sean, but I have decided to have them powder coated, a) because I think it will be more durable, because b) I'm too indifferent about polishing the lip to keep it looking nice like you do mate. Still considering something radical.......ish and hoping I can live with it. Worst case scenario would be painting over the powder coat.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

Not decided on a colour yet Sean, but I have decided to have them powder coated, a) because I think it will be more durable, because b) I'm too indifferent about polishing the lip to keep it looking nice like you do mate. Still considering something radical.......ish and hoping I can live with it. Worst case scenario would be painting over the powder coat.

Tony.

Something radical.......h.t's signature pic emblazoned onto each wheel centre ?.

 

[t-tony]

Be better with a silver crucifix and Garlic I reckon mate.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

This little torch is very handy for these type of jobs @mrscalex it heats up to 1300 Deg.C.
View attachment 66903

 

[mrscalex]

Thanks @t-tony .

Still having nightmares about that thermostat bolt. Will be trying again tomorrow/Saturday.

Don't forget if you have any corrosion you are better off with a darker colour to help hide any pitting.

 

[t-tony]

And another one bites the dust. 2 down,2 to go.

Tony.

 

[Steve Medlock]

Its worth buying some cheap bolts to put in the holes while they are being powder coated. I had to run a tap into every hole afterwards and it took ages.

 

[t-tony]

Cheers for that Steve. @Simon Blythe said he plugged his with some dowel which did the job. I appreciate the bolts you sent me mate, thank you.

Tony

 

[t-tony]

Got the last wheel split today and all the bolts cleaned ready for refurbing.

Tony.

ps. These wheels have obviously been repainted before but I'm sure they haven't been taken apart.

 

[hard top]

ready for refuting.

Cut it out Tony, how many beers have you had tonight?
First is was about a Chink removing a wind deflector, now its about 'futing' ....

 

[t-tony]

Done from my phone mate, I hate predictive text.

Tony.

ps. You missed "last shell split today" How many beers you had?