Separating corroded dissimilar metal parts

[SliderCrank]

Still doing some maintenance after Hurricane Ivan. I have a number of brass parts with steel set screws. The screws in the ones that didn't get submerged by the salt storm surge can be removed with no trouble. The ones that were submerged, and not for long, have seized tight and cannot be freed with an impact driver.

I tried various kinds of penetrating oil and rust removers with no effect. The only difference I know with the seized parts is that they were submerged for a very short while.

I need to save the brass parts if possible, since they are no longer available for replacement.

Thanks

 

[arunmrao]

You could weld a square rod on the screw head carefully. Using a hand wrench remove the offending screws. A practice commonly used to remove broken tap bits in finished parts.

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"It's better to die standing than live your whole life on the knees" by Peter Mayle in his book A Good Year

 

[SliderCrank]

Thanks for answering. Actually the slots are still good and I'm able to hold the impact driver tight enough that it stays in place. I do think I could get more torque on it with a hand wrench, though, and I'll work on that.

A friend suggested heating the parts, figuring the brass would expand more than the steel and loosen the screw. I haven't tried that yet.

Thanks again. You took the time for this at 2:16 am?

 

[arunmrao]

I am on the other side of the globe ,so it is pm for me. Thanks for your concern,hope you succeed.

_____________________________________
"It's better to die standing than live your whole life on the knees" by Peter Mayle in his book A Good Year

 

[StoneCold]

The heating might work for you. I have a homemade shaft joint that is made of brass and you heat it up and push steel pins through the ends of the shaft. When it cools it is rock solid. But heating it up to about 250F you can easily get the pins out. However they are not threaded either.

Good luck
StoneCold

 

[EdStainless]

Can you take them into the machine shop?
You may need to drill the steel out. Then remove the remaining by collapsing it.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[blacksmith37]

What EdS said; The problem will be to hold the part and the drill bit ridgid so the bit dosen't wander into the soft brass. Try starting with a small pilot bit.