Frozen Nuts (Steering Stem)

[abyssmaltailgate]

I can't remove my bottom triple tree because the nuts on the steering stem are "frozen" and won't budge. Any tips on how to loosen the damn things without a specialized tool? I'm afraid to hit it with a screwdriver and hammer, so I'm wondering if there's a better way?

Additionally, there appears to be some oxidation, so I let some 3-in-1 oil set in overnight and I also lubed it up with some Liquid Wrench this morning... Please let me know what y'all think!

 

[fredintoon]

Hi abyssmal,
BFH and a punch rather than a screwdriver will work but it's likely to knacker-up the notches.
The proper tool is two hook-wrenches (AKA peg wrenches) They look like the thing that adjusts your rear shocks but the right size to fit the head nuts.
Buy from a good tool store or Drummond-McCall or even torch, forge and grind your own from two el-cheapo wrenches.

 

[abyssmaltailgate]

Thanks for the advice fredintoon! I'll probably get those hook wrenches to remount the tree, but in the meantime I got hasty and used an old automotive brake tool (looks like a pry with a thicker end than a flat head screwdriver) and a hammer. A couple whacks loosened it enough to the point where I could undo the rest with a channel lock wrench!

 

[rainycity]

If you know anybody in the aerospace seat business thats the same tool needed to tighten the seat locks down. You by chance know what the width of that nut is?

 

[gggGary]

Spanner wrench in the common vernacular. Doesn't need to be very fancy, after bunging up too many nuts with punches, I (over)built a pair out of misc scrap steel, they have been used many times now. IMHO only decent way to set the bearing preload on reassembly is with a pair of wrenches.

one peg on the end is all you need.

 

[rainycity]

Yep, Pretty good job there Gary, Thats pretty close to the ones they use here at work.