More on bike rack problem

[Chris Bacon]

I'm having trouble visualising the problem. You say you want to remove the U-shaped component, but not how it "holds the bolt". Please elucidate.

[Murmansk]

I recently posted an item about a towbar-mounted bike rack and the problem I had with the attachment bolt getting stuck and being damaged when I removed it by force.

I've managed to order a new bolt from Witter and it will come with the bit of metal that holds the nut. My puzzle now is how I'm going to remove the bit of metal holding the bolt

This picture shows the thing in question

From my picture it looks as though the thing would slide out but it won't because the metal has a slight "tab" punched in it on the inside at each end to make it wider than the hole it sits in. I've tried to pinch it with a G clamp and hammering it but it's too strong to move it.

I'm at a loss to know how I'll take the old one out and put the new one in?

[newshound]

You mean the U-shaped piece? It looks more to me as if it is "riveted" slightly on the outside, presumably on both sides.

I would just grind that region off with an angle grinder. Alternatively, cut it in half at the middle where the screwdriver is, and slide each half out in the appropriate direction.

[Steve Walker]

I'd go for the latter. The frame appears to be galvanised and it'd be a pity to grind that off while removing the peening.

[newshound]

I think plated rather than galvanised, but yes, I was going to say that too. Angle grinder masters will stop just short, and the softened metal lip will fold off when the main piece is tapped through with a drift. Difficult to tell from the pictures which region has the best access. Also, the scale is unclear, one might be able to use a Dremel size with either the thin, unreinforced disks or the slightly thicker fibreglass ones. I very seldom use the Dremel "grindstones", they are either slow or wear at an alarming rate, or both.

[Murmansk]

It's not riveted, the U shaped bit, it's been cut, as it were three sides of a square, then the metal on the still-attached side of the square bent to make what I referred to as a "tab" stopping the thing sliding through the hole.

[Andrew]

A photo of the whole thing mounted on the towbar ball would help. It's difficult to comprehend how that thing attaches from the photo.

[newshound]

+1, I can't square the second description in response to my comment with the photo

[T i m]

Could it be that you have to disassemble the whole thing and take one of the side plates off to release it?

Cheers, T i m

[newshound]

I wondered if the screwdriver was passing through the nut, which was spot welded inside? Not obvious what the two "dings" are, unless they located the nut prior to welding.

[Murmansk]

The U shaped bit has the nut welded to it, the screwdriver was shown passing through the nut. Having spoken to someone at Witter I'm advised I have to take the bolts out and prise it apart to get the U shaped thing out, then put the new one in and squeeze it back together in a vice.