Bolt Stuck in Ski Spindle

[rotax]

11 Pro RMK, SLP PP skis.

The ski rubber has been working itself out from under the spindle so I removed the ski bottom from the spindle bracket and took the nut off the bolt.

But the bolt will not budge, wacked it with a hammer and ruined the threads. Tried backing it out with a ratchet, it catches, binds, and then releases, as if its trying to back out, but is jammed up (rusted?) in the bushing?? Sprayed it with some penetrating oil. Could the bolt be bent?

Any suggestions here?

EDIT: I can clearly see the bushing spinning around when I turn the bolt now.. Having a hard time with it still/getting no where. Sounds like bigger hammer and more force is required?

 

[Richracer1]

The bolts do rust to the steel bushing. Keep after it with the penetrating oil. Since you buggered the bolt end, you may have to cut that portion off to get the bolt out. Next time put an old nut on the end of the bolt before whacking it with a hammer.

When you get ready to put it back together, use grease or anti-seize on the bolt, but not on the threads.

 

[rotax]

Appreciate all the tips! I'll keep at it.

 

[Reg2view]

Rotate it free with an impact. Hammer judiciously. Worst case a press without breaking the spindle. In addition to other recommended actions.

 

[rotax]

Rotate it free with an impact. Hammer judiciously. Worst case a press without breaking the spindle. In addition to other recommended actions.

No impact/air tools. Hammering like a crazy person didn't get me anywhere thus far. I have the spindle removed from the sled and have been spraying w/ PB and mini-sledging it..no budge. This is silly..my own mistake/cause, but amazed at how welded its become.

May have to have the dealer try to press it apart/out. Or, leave it and ride it as is?

 

[Dartos]

I had to use a poor mans press in the past.

A deep well socket over the head and a heavy duty C clamp to press the bolt out.

It sounds like your bolt may be bent a bit also.

 

[UP RIDR]

Yeah I had a bent bolt last year, was able to pound it out.

 

[wjl]

If you have the spindle off soak the whole thing in oil and forget it for a few days.

 

[norcalrob]

sounds like the bolt is bent on the threaded side, cut the bolt head off and it should slide right out, think the bolt is <$ 15 at polaris
just bent one on my 15, also check the sleeve once apart.

 

[jholer]

Has the bolt moved at all as far as pulling it out? If it has, you probably are caught on the threads inside the saddle/spindle. My slp saddles on my pp's go on very tight, and I have to use a bar clamp under the saddle and up to a spot in the spindle. Its not perfect, but when you get the clamp to stay put and squeeze it a bit the parts align and the bolt should slide out. If this is not the case, you are rusted or bent, either way gotta use some muscle. And lube!

 

[yotaman1290]

I had the same issue i had to cut the bolt on either side of the spindle with a cut off wheel...

 

[SRXSRULE]

If you dont have the tools to get it apart take it to a machine shop, fab shop, auto repair shop. The last place I would take it is the dealer. We run into frozen bolts all the time in the automotive world. Many times you have to cut/drill them out or use the shop press if you can get the part off the vehicle. Eric

 

[rmk8001]

cut it off on both sides of the spindle with a die grinder and cut off wheel or use a hacksaw. your gonna want to replace all those parts any ways if its bad enough to be rusted together. I've done it quite a few times that way. make sure to use a lot of grease on reassembly.

 

[ksright]

Had this same problem last year. It took me about 3 hours to get it out. Pound on it one way with a hammer and hacksaw it off then pound the bolt the other way. Took forever that way but I didn't have any access to power tools. Also took about 3 trips to the dealer to eventually get all the right bolts and bushings. Here's a picture of what I had after;

 

[RMK-King]

Kinda funny I just delt with this last night on my sled,I could get the threaded end of the bolt flush with the ski but no further, tried a punch and impact with no luck. Finally took a 2' crescent wrench and put it between the bolt head/washer and ski and pried sideways on it will reversing with the impact. Finally got it out. I put grease on it when I reassembled, I think the bolt was slightly bent.

 

[Oregonsledder]

I have had to cut many of them off next to the spindle on both sides, then to my shop press.

 

[volcano buster]

I didn't have an issue with the pivot bolt, but I did add submerged zerks to my spindles so I can push grease into the pivot point. The brass bushings on my IQ met in the middle so I ground a notch on the end of each one lining up with the zerk (thus the blue index mark to show where it was to get them lined up.

Rather rewarding watching the grease push out both sides.

 

[Woodsrider]

Zerk's are the way to go all my sleds have them after frozen bolt on 06 IQ. If you trailer your sled this is a must do. Zerk's should be there from factory.