Track bolt removal

[Gotrocksinhead]

My name is Dan from Oregon. I recently bought a 420c. It needs some maintainance before being put to work. I am in process of replacing lose track/pad bolts. No problem except for one stubborn bolt. I cut the head off but I cannot punch it through as it is frozen in place. Is it ok to heat up the link or would heat ruin It?

I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how.

I'm thrilled to have found this forum of invaluable information and like-minded people with crawlers on the brain!

Dan

[gregjo1948]

I don't think you're going to have to heat it up so much that any damage will happen to the pad. Normally you'd heat the metal around the bolt but, I'd just put some heat to the bolt. By now you've probably mushroomed the bolt, like a rivet, and heating the surrounding metal won't expand it enough to free it up . Heating the bolt should soften it enough to punch it right thru the hole.

[Lavoy]

Another option is to drill the center of the bolt out, it will relieve pressure, and it should come out with a punch.
Lavoy

[Gotrocksinhead]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

[gregjo1948]

I was thinking the bolts were hardened and would drill very difficult.

[B Town]

I believe the bolts are hardened, also. But it has been my experience that the hardening is usually on so deep and not the entire diameter. Drilling the center is a good idea.

Best regards, Bruce

[Lavoy]

No, they are only grade 5, drill easily.
Lavoy

[Gotrocksinhead]

I tried drilling, no luck. Must have replaced the original with hardened bolts. Put heat on it, 5 taps and it was out. Yahoo!
Went to the hardware store for new bolts, nothing. John Deere dealer had nothing but could order them for 11 bucks a bolt!!! From Illinois!! So they sent me down the road to a local store/repair shop that works on heavy equipment. They had bolts and nuts for less than 1.50 per bolt and nut! They're a tad longer but they'll work.
We're back in business! Thanks