Had to dismantle my folding side steps (Defender) as they had completely seized and were badly corroded. I have removed the rubbers and cleaned them up, treated the rust and prepared them for refitting, but the seized hinge bolts were destroyed in freeing them up and need replacing. Does anybody out there know where I might obtain replacement bolts/nuts for them? Thanks.
Thanks for that Oldseadog. I think maybe yours may be a different style? The bolts that formed the hinges on mine are more complicated. The top of the bolt is unthreaded, 13.5 mm diameter and 19 mm long, and the rest is threaded, 8mm (M8) and 13 mm long and fits with a large heavy duty M8 washer and M8 Nyloc nut. (So overall length is 32mm.) The unthreaded part of the bolt forms the free turning hinge. Maybe I could find some steel tube 13.5mm outer diameter and cut it to 19mm length, then slide it over a standard bolt cut to 32mm length. But would probably need M10 or M12 bolt to have sufficient strength. Any ideas where I could find some non-standard steel tube?
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
mtc7464 is the part number, LR genuine ones are about £10-£15 each! Probably best to pop to your local fastner specialist and see if they can help ( shoulder bolt is the name of a bolt with an unthreaded length ).
Oldseadog
Well-Known Member
I think that , if I were you,I would drill out to 12.4 or 12.5 and fit M12 bolts (NOT setscrews!!) with a copper washer and Nyloc nut so that the copper washer acts as a bearing, and then lather the pivot with lashings of Copperslip prior to reassembly!
jamesmartin
Well-Known Member
if you drill a hole out to take a particular bolt size the size you drill is bolt size ie 12mm as bolt will be undersize to allow it to fit
Thanks for this Bluedog333. "Shoulder Bolt" was the magic word(s) - as soon as I used this in my searches it did the trick. Seems the LR ones are no longer available even at that ridiculous price, but found plenty of likely candidates on eBay for more sensible prices.
The existing holes are 13.5mm so no need to drill out. I've found some 13mm shoulder bolts on eBay of the right length, so will try them, with lashings of copperslip as you suggest to avoid future seizing up. Thanks everybody for your help.
