Stripped AN-365 nut on tie down

Jack Clark · Post by **Jack Clark** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:27 am

I have two stripped AN-365 nuts on my tie down because I over torqued them with my new torque wrench. Now I have the two nuts that I can't loosen or tighten. On the CDI wrench, I expected a loud "Click" sound but only got a bending of the handle at the head. First question...is this normal for click torque wrenches in general or is this just how the CDI works?

My noviced belief is that these nuts need to be replaced but do they really? They seem to be secure and don't want to come off anyway. If they do need to be replaced, I need some advise on how to remove these nuts.

Thank you for your help...

Jack Clark

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 12:26 pm

Jack, maybe cutting the nuts in half with a dremel tool would work in removing them?

As far as the torque wrench goes... yes. The point where the handle deviates from the head indicated when the torque setting has been reached.

Can you get a dremel tool at the nut? Maybe a pic would help? I can't envision the area as I am not there yet.

CJ

Jack Clark · Post by **Jack Clark** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:19 pm

Here is a picture of the nuts. Initially, I removed the nut to repair minor marring of the spar from the wrench socket. My concern now is that I may damage the spar with a cutting wheel. One suggestion I have read mentions using a nut splitter. Another reports using a #40 then #30 drill to drill into the nut parallel to the axis of the bolt, next to the bolt. Reportedly, the nut removed easily after the drilling. Right now I am looking for the safest and easiest means to remove the nut without spar damage. Any thoughts on just leaving the nuts as they are?I haven't posted any photos yet so I'll need to learn how next. Once I DO, I'LL post them.
Thank you for your response

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:34 pm

don't look so bad to me!

stealth bolts!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:32 pm

Shoot me a PM with your email addy and I will reply with mine if you want me to post them for ya. I don;t mind at all.

The drill hole in the center sounds like a better idea than the dremel tool!

CJ

Jack Clark · Post by **Jack Clark** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:03 pm

I think I've found a way to make my stealth picture visible to you. Try this link.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jhclarkfl ... m=3191.jpg

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:02 pm

that works! i'll stick by my suggestion of dremeling the tip of that bolt. maybe after that if it doesn't come off, drill the center to pry it out if need be.

you have the same ring around the nut that i do! that anodizing sure comes off easily when scratched...

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:01 am

OH!

WING tie down!!!

Duuuh! I was thinking tailwheel! Yah, yah, yah... drill the shank out of the bolt. It will be off in a jiffy!

Be precise and take your time. Start off small and work your way up in size so you can "steer" the bit back into the center if it should wander.

Let us know how it works out!

CJ

Jack Clark · Post by **Jack Clark** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:43 am

After some consideration, I decided to try cutting the nut off with the
dremel tool. This worked out quite well. I stayed away from washer, keeping a small amount of the nut intact. The remaining nut easily separated from the bolt.

I'd like to thank everyone for their responses...We do belong to a special community!

Now, my next step in this learning process is finding the best places to purchase replacement hardware.

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:07 am

Replacement hardware - like nuts, etc?
You can get AN harware assortments from Spruce, Wicks, etc. I've been meaning to get something like that to have on hand but haven't done so yet.

Thomas
-8 wings