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Old 09-19-2019, 05:29 PM   #1
LEM
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Default Transmission tower shifting forks

Cannot remove the shifting shafts because the shifting forks are rusted solid to them or it seems. What can I do to separate them? The tower is an early 28.
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Old 09-19-2019, 08:51 PM   #2
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Not knowing anything else about the situation, Kano Kroil penetrating oil might be a good bet, especially if you can manage to get the shafts really submerged in the oil somehow.
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Old 09-19-2019, 10:52 PM   #3
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

I'm wondering it you have removed all of the transmission fork pins that hold the forks to the shaft.
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Old 09-20-2019, 10:53 AM   #4
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike v. Florida View Post
i'm wondering it you have removed all of the transmission fork pins that hold the forks to the shaft.
x'2
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Old 09-20-2019, 11:04 AM   #5
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

The authoritative guide for this task, including a diagram showing the location of the pins:
http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...estoration.pdf
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Old 09-20-2019, 01:37 PM   #6
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

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I have tried soaking the forks with PB blaster and I also heated up the forks but still no movement. The pins are out and I even drilled through the hole to make sure there was no other pieces left in the hole. I hope I don’t have to cut the forks out because they’re in really really good shape. Thanks for all of your suggestions.
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Old 09-20-2019, 02:00 PM   #7
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Maybe give Kroil a try, I've seen it used in machine shops for exactly this sort of thing. Comes in both liquid and aerosol forms. If there's clearly a lot of rust around the shaft you could also try soaking the assembly in Evaporust to remove as much rust as possible before trying the penetrating oil.
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Old 09-20-2019, 02:26 PM   #8
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Can you slide the shafts out enough to get a good bite on them with vice grips? Might be able to twist the shafts and break the rust bond?
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Old 09-20-2019, 02:32 PM   #9
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

It sound like it might help to try and derust your tower. There are some mildly acidic solutions (usually with acetic acid or vinegar) or Evaporust which uses EDTA to chelate with the iron oxide that work pretty well.

The only other thing would be heat and cooling cycles to get the iron oxide bond to break down. This will also break down loctite products. Heat the part to no more the 250 F then cool it rapidly with water.

These methods will usually work to get stuff apart but it takes time. Parts that are fitted tightly together tend to weld them selves together with iron oxide build up between the two surfaces.

If the parts aren't to rusty, the penetrating oil should work. I guess is just depends on where that old tower has spent the last 75 years or so since the old A-bone went out of service.
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Old 09-20-2019, 02:50 PM   #10
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Thanks for all the help. I will try all the other suggestions. I have used Vice grips with no results. I will try to soak them in something for a long period of time before I start cutting thank you again.
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Old 09-20-2019, 03:30 PM   #11
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Don't forget percussive maintenance – secure the fork in a padded vise, slide the shaft partway out of the tower, then strike the shaft with a hammer. That would be step 3 for me after Evaporust and Kroil.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:03 PM   #12
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Evaporust or 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF OR look for another tower assy if this one is as bad as it seems. JMO
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Old 09-24-2019, 10:11 AM   #13
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

I have submerge the tower in the acetone and ATF solution. So it will take a couple of weeks before I can try once again to disassemble the tower. Thanks for all your responses.
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Old 09-24-2019, 12:03 PM   #14
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Electrolytic rust reforming (commonly used in lieu of bead/sand blast on precious or intricate parts) might work.

Red rust when it forms occupies 1.5 times the volume of metal before its rusted. Hence things rust SOLID. Black rust (the degrade product when rust is "reformed") actually occupies slightly LESS volume than the metal it was formed from since there is usually a loss of original iron in the formation of red rust. A quirk which helps disassembly.

I think currently they're working on parts of the original Civil War Ironclad designed and built by John Ericsson using a MASSIVE electrolytic bath.

These forks are small and would be an easy project to leave for a week or so in the bath and let chemistry do what penetrants can't do. Nice in that electrolysis WILL NOT TOUCH original dimensions of machine parts like blasting or even a wire wheel.

See http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp for one take on electrolysis. Vince Falter has more at his most excellent web-site (including the use of graphite electrodes to reduce the recombinant mess of the bath) at http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/elec...cderusting.htm

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Old 09-24-2019, 01:56 PM   #15
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Joe K.
Will this process work when two parts are tightly fitted together?
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Old 09-24-2019, 02:53 PM   #16
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

I think so. I've had good luck with it on even pipe fittings.


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Old 09-24-2019, 07:49 PM   #17
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

Did you remove the spring and plunger also?
Then remove one shaft, then remove the rest of the tower parts.
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Old 09-28-2019, 10:16 PM   #18
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Default Re: Transmission tower shifting forks

After only five days in a bath of 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF I was able to persuade the forks off their shafts. Thanks for the help.
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