Chain Plate inspections and R&R

[Warren Holybee]

A couple projects I have been working on. First, months ago I mentioned that I was able to easily remove one of the bolts holding the Stem Fitting (forestay chainplate) and was anticipating replacing all of those. I finally got around to it and completed that over the last 2 weekends. After the first easy bolt, the next 2 were quite difficult, but I managed with penetrating oil, then heat, then wax, then heat, etc. The last bolt. nothing would work. I got about 1/8 turn, so it wasn't sealant. So I went at it with a Dremel and drill. I drilled through the head and into the shaft of the bolt, then used a large centerpunch and popped the head off.

The Sealant at this point wasn't doing anything, with water clearly getting behind the stem fitting and rust starting to appear. Very minor pitting (won't show in pictures) and it all polished nicely. It went back together much quicker with Allen head bolts that will be easier to deal with in another 40 years.

The other project was the chainplate under the head cabinet. Due to a leak, that one got wet, and was difficult to inspect in place. Pulling it out also required removing the cabinet face, which also had dry rot. So it all came out, clean and polish the chainplate (it wasn't bad, actually) fabricate a new cabinet face, and reinstall everything.

The Cabinet face was made from Meranti plywood. With a bit of stain it is almost indistinguishable from teak.

 

[Warren Holybee]

More pictures. Glad I did these projects. It was definitely time, and the piece of mind that these harder to remove and inspect parts are ok.

 

[Warren Holybee]

And pictures I took of the stem fitting all shiny and new looking, and installed with the new bolts are missing from my phone. But trust me, they were so beautiful they would change your life!

 

[Warren Holybee]

The new cabinet face.

 

[terry_thatcher]

What was the condition of the forward chainplate bolts? None of mine will move and I have not had the time/energy to do what you did.

 

[Warren Holybee]

They were fair. Most definitely had corrosion, and the one i drilled the nut never came off, its frozen solid. They still had life left in them, but were deteriorated.

The risk is that they can look fine, but have crevice corrosion at the base of the head. There isn't any way to know that without removal.

 

[mpearson]

Warren - thanks for sharing photos and info! Very helpful.

 

[john english]

Did you Dye penetrant test anything?

 

[Warren Holybee]

Did you Dye penetrant test anything?

No. Just polished and looked at them closely. I didn't see any need.