Can someone give me an idea of how to remove the sprocket from my pc200-6? The mounting bolts are so close to the sprocket collar that I can't get a socket or a wrench on them.
Can you post a pic?
I suppose I could grind off the collar next to the bolt heads, but man, why did they make such a right tollerance?
Tight tolerance.
What’s on the other side behind the sprocket.?
Nothing but a solid flange that the sprocket mounts to. There are no nuts or thread protrusions.
Well, its tight because the head of your sprocket bolts are worn down to almost nothing. There are several options.......you can torch the heads off then deal with the remaining bolt with the sprocket out of the way. You could also weld nuts to those heads, but I don't think that will work myself. I have had to torch the entire bolt through the hub before but you have to be proficient with a torch.
I'm having difficulty understanding exactly how the sprocket comes off the final drive flange. Do you have a photo taken from further away for reference.?
It slides over the hub and there are 21 through bolts. Those bolts have to come out, and there are no nuts. The first picture may have given the impression that the heads are thin, but I have new replacement bolts and new sprockets and the heads are no larger and the tolerance is nearly as tight. It seems like the old sprocket is slightly bent in towards the bolt heads in certain spots.
Now it looks like the outer edge of your sprocket has rolled towards the bolts. You should be able to either grind or torch that edge back and get a socket on it. It should be a solid one-piece sproket bolted to a threaded hub.
That seems like the only reasonable option. Thanks for the input.
Can't fit a socket. 6 point impact ? or 12 point hand socket ?
A few bolts have room to fit, but most are too close.
Hit them with a 2lb hammer or even bigger. Several times. It won't take much to get them loose. That has worked for me many,many times. Especially on Caterpillar drain plugs. I think beating on them causes them to stretch slightly. If your socket has a slight bevel that makes it easier to put it on the hex - grind the face until there is no bevel left. That is the only way to get good engagement on a thin bolt head.IMHO.
Shame on the mess. The screw heads are smeared, the sprocket is smeared, it’s going to take a grinder, a torch, a Monster drink variety pack, (or liquor, if your job site allows it) ZYN, and much profanity, sweat equity and possibly blood to R&R those sprockets. Good luck. Keep us posted.
Might be a good application for a rivet cutting tip in a cutting torch. Another option might be to grind the sprocket so a socket will fit. Could grind the socket some too.
I disagree that welding a nut on won't work. The magic heat cycle of welding is a thing to behold. But it too is a bunch of mucking about.
For this kind of screws, why not spray some WD40?
Getting a good weld might be difficult. I'd plug weld a large thick washer perhaps made out of at least 3/16" plate to the bolts and then weld a nut around the outside to the washer.
How is the WD40 supposed to get to the threads when the bolt head is very tight to the sprocket?
You have new bolts & sprockets. With that setup it looks like the quickest way would be to grind the heads off the bolts and pull the sprocket off. A good whack or two with a big hammer should loosen the threaded part of the bolts after that.
Sockets are disposable items. Thin them up until they fit. Expect to break a few.
I did a few for those hydraulic torquing wrenches (Plarad comes to mind) With no impact, they can take more abuse before breaking.