halftrackinfo

armor plate => fenders, door hardware and other body parts (non armor) => Topic started by: 8683jb on February 07, 2017, 01:34:02 PM

Title: Hood latches
Post by: 8683jb on February 07, 2017, 01:34:02 PM
Anyone have a good method or know of a good product for freeing up the spring hood latches? I'm pretty sure I've seen a discussion on this but can't find it now that I need it. Thanks.
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: Tapper02 on February 07, 2017, 02:45:48 PM
http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=1178.msg6192#msg6192

-Tom
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: 8683jb on February 07, 2017, 04:17:30 PM
Thanks Tom!
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: Darth_Kitten on February 07, 2017, 05:07:03 PM
Let me know if you need washers or pins. I've got a bag full of them.
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: 8683jb on February 07, 2017, 05:36:40 PM
I sure will. Thanks.
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: Monkeypirate on February 08, 2017, 07:08:58 AM
You could also try "Metal rescue" its sold at home depot in the paint isle. it dissolves rust through a chemical process and works great! i tossed in some bolts that had rusted to the nuts and when i pulled them out i could spin the nuts off by hand. cost is about $25 a gallon. one gallon can typically remove 1/2 pound of rust. hope this helps.
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: 8683jb on February 08, 2017, 11:23:23 PM

Thanks Monkeypirate. I'll get some of that next time I'm at Home Depot or Lowe's. In the meantime I ran a rivet gun up & down the side of the barrel, set low, using a flush rivet set to impose a little impact and vibration. The rust cloud that came out of the seams and oil hole was incredible! Then I put a 7/16” open-end wrench in the vise to use as a fork to hold the lower end of the latch and set a piece of 3/4” round stock under the hook on the latch and put the rivet gun to it to expand the latch. I was able to get the latch to move fully both directions and now I'm soaking it in PB Blaster. I'll flush and lubricate it and hopefully that one will be done. This worked on the one latch that is not attached to the half track and maybe I can use a similar method to loosen the ones that are still attached. If not, I'll try the Metal Rescue or the heat method shown in the link above. Thank you guys for the help and I'll let you know how it goes.
Title: Re: Hood latches
Post by: yd328 on February 09, 2017, 07:44:45 AM
The heat and PB blaster works well too. Just be careful with the tube.

Gary