How to get these Bolts off ?

[MadMike21291]

Hey Guys,
I am new to this site as well as really new to Boat Ownership. My Fianc?e and I recently bought a little 12 ft. Mirrocraft for Fishing. Nice little rig especially after I added some things too it. Anyway I took the boat off the trailer as I had to replace the bunks and re wire the trailer. I notice that a couple of the wheels that the boat rolls on ( rollers ) ? are a bit out of shape and I wanted to replace them, Problem is I have no idea how to get these bolts off as I haven't run into them before. They are a bolt with like Caps on them. I Notice on each cap there is a little indent to like maybe put a screwdriver in and loosen? However whatever I tried I couldn't get them off. Sorry for the stupid Question, but does anyone have any idea how I can remove these bolts ? I would like to finish the trailer tonight after work as I am going Camping this weekend and will be taking the boat with.

Thanks for the Help !

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

they just pry off and that usually wrecks them. two heavy duty screwdrivers, one on each side and a hammer. no easy way I know of.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Easiest way is to use a hammer and a punch. Set the punch in the center of one of the caps and pound it through the cap driving the pin out. That way you only have to remove and replace one per roller.

 

[MadMike21291]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Thanks Guys I appreciate the help. What are these called so I know what to look for at the Hardware store, When I have to replace them.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

I call them retainer caps, should have them at any hardware store

 

[roscoe]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Welcome to iboats.


also referred to as a "pal" nut.


Boating hint: never try to make improvements to your rig, just before planning to use it, or you may end up taking your camping trip without a boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

pal nut - iboats

 

[MadMike21291]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Welcome to iboats.


also referred to as a "pal" nut.


Boating hint: never try to make improvements to your rig, just before planning to use it, or you may end up taking your camping trip without a boat.

Thanks for the info on what kind of Nut it is, Can you get these at the local Hardware store?

And yeah luckily if needed I would just use the old rollers but since I Re did the bunks last Night, I figure why not change the rollers while I am at it. Working on the boat / Trailer is addicting lol :joyous:

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Thanks for the info on what kind of Nut it is, Can you get these at the local Hardware store?

And yeah luckily if needed I would just use the old rollers but since I Re did the bunks last Night, I figure why not change the rollers while I am at it. Working on the boat / Trailer is addicting lol :joyous:

Yes, as I stated before any hardware store will have them. Just look in the area with the plastic boxes full of specialty fasteners.

 

[gm280]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Thanks for the info on what kind of Nut it is, Can you get these at the local Hardware store?

And yeah luckily if needed I would just use the old rollers but since I Re did the bunks last Night, I figure why not change the rollers while I am at it. Working on the boat / Trailer is addicting lol :joyous:

You can also drill the shafts and use washers and cotter pins for easier future removal. Just an idea...

 

[MadMike21291]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Thanks, I appreciate it, Home Depot here I come !

 

[Bubbles Up]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

When I redid my boat trailer, I never put them on, I just put a skim of anti-sieze in the nylock nuts. Made sure that each roller moved freely. Where the rollers were tight I spread the uprights and put a nylon washer between the roller and uprights. For the bunks I just used astro turf. Made sure everything had a fresh coat of paint. Bearings were cleaned and repacked..

 

[jayhanig]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Why not just use a large bolt with a lock-nut ?

If the bolt is too long, Just use a grinder to cut it off/grind it down so you don't have any burrs.

Grind the bolt down so its flush with the outside of the nut!

If you're going to do that, you'd be smart to first screw on a conventional nut to the spot immediately above the cut line. That gives you a good reference for the cut and then, once you've buggered up the threads cutting the bolt, you can repair them by unscrewing the nut over the affected area of the bolt. It will work similar to a die. Once that's done, then use your lock nut.

This is good advice. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[dccordell]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

If you're going to do that, you'd be smart to first screw on a conventional nut to the spot immediately above the cut line. It will work similar to a die.

Yep, and to make re-threading the lock nut even easier, use your grinder to very slightly "round-over" the end of the bolt, removing the sharp metal left from cutting, and making it easier catch that first thread when you try to put the lock nut on.

 

[Noltz]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Also when cutting a thick bolt like this it will generate a lot of heat. If you use a nylock nut as suggested it'll probably melt out most of the locking nylon.

OP; I'd replace it with a conventional bolt and nylock nut. If no nylocks are available, use two nuts and tighten them against each other with a drop of Loctite Blue under them. Easy to remove, never going to come loose.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

The O/P has already finished and moved on.... I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would abandon a system that works perfectly and only requires a few pennies for a new pal nut in favor of new bolts, cutting of said new bolts, standard nuts to fix said cut new bolts, and nylock nuts to secure said cut new bolts, and locktight to secure said nylock nuts to said cut new bolts.......

 

[colbyt]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Thanks, I appreciate it, Home Depot here I come !

Never, ever , confuse Home Depot with a real hardware store. They may or may not have these. A real hardware store will.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

The O/P has already finished and moved on.... I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would abandon a system that works perfectly and only requires a few pennies for a new pal nut in favor of new bolts, cutting of said new bolts, standard nuts to fix said cut new bolts, and nylock nuts to secure said cut new bolts, and locktight to secure said nylock nuts to said cut new bolts.......

I totally agree.

 

[NYBo]

Re: How to get these Bolts off ?

Never, ever , confuse Home Depot with a real hardware store. They may or may not have these. A real hardware store will.

While their fastener section drives me nuts, it appears they DO carry them: Axle Hat Nuts - Nuts - Fasteners - Hardware - Tools & Hardware?at The Home Depot