Any Ideas ??!!??!!

[Armymedic427]

I have broken one of the internal eye ends on my bimini top and I can not get the broken internal part out of the rail/tube. I have tried prying it out with a screwdriver, pulling it out with pliers, drilled a hole in it and put a screw in the hole and attempted to pull it out with the screw. I do not want to bend/squeeze the tube because I want to put the replacement back in the existing tube. Has anyone had this problem and know how to get it out or does anyone have any ideas how to get this part out. Thanks for the help and any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

 

[Maclin]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

It is held in by those dimples that indent into a groove on the fitting. If drilling out the core of the piece inside and then trying to carefully crush it does not work then you may have to drill out the dimples and either use very small screws to reset the new end in or use a punch and put new dimples in between the holes. There may be dies for this that fit in a vise, I have not looked for anything like that yet.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

When I replaced mine I wound up drilling ALOT of holes in the piece. Then (eventually) I got it to crush enough to remove it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

Grind the plastic flush with the end of the tube. Then with a dowl rod and hammer drive it up inside the tube a little ways and put in the new piece. If it's too loose inside the tube, just squirt a little sillycone up in the tube and let the old piece get into it. It'll dry and keep it from moving.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

The plastic will soften and melt before the aluminum if you heat it up .....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

The plastic will soften and melt before the aluminum if you heat it up .....

That's what I was thinking!

 

[Maclin]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

I like the idea for shoving it on up inside the pole. Can't do it too may times though or it will fill up!

 

[Armymedic427]

Re: Any Ideas ??!!??!!

I took a bigger drill bit and drilled it until it went up into the tube far enough to put the new one in. thanks for the help.