Alright guys-
I sold one of my flexi buggies yesterday and last night when I went to disassemble discovered that the front axle and one of the bearings have rusted together (only parts that are not stainless- go figure)- anybody have a recommendation to get it free? I have no problem cutting and replacing the axle/bolt but one side is unaccessible without destroying the spacer at the same time. I know the new owner is excited to get the buggy so was hoping to figure out a way to get it done without needing to replace/ damage that spacer. Any tips greatly appreciated- and no a bigger hammer is not going to do it.
Scott
PS - don't worry Genci- it will be all good and as promised

I am new to kiting and haven't yet been personally exposed to buggies, so forgive me if this isnt as helpful as I expect it might be.

Wintergreen oil is a terrific rust penetrant/corrosion buster. Whenever I am faced with a rusty situation of bound parts or hardware, it's what I reach for. A small bottle can be found at most drug stores for a couple dollars. Some commercial penetrants use it in their ingredients because of it's excellent solvent/penetrating properties. Wear nitril gloves and/or take care to not get a bunch on your skin. It enters the blood stream and converts to a component of aspirin, being used as a home remedy for aches and pains by way of adding it to a carrier/massage oil.

It should prove helpful in reducing the rust's bond, improving your chances of freeing the parts.

He's right Scott !
auto parts store can hook you up with penetrant oil,one of the ingredients will be wintergreen oil .

No problem Scott. Now I know that I got to take it apart periodically.

Had to use an impact wrench on my rear axle bolt after using penetrant oil to no avail.
1 burp and off. Gave the mechanic across from the Flyin J at JI $10 bucks for a 6 pack and thanks.

I than smeared a liberal coating of "silver Anti Seize" in the axle threads and on the axle bolt and bolted them back on.

When I got home I busted loose the front axle nut after a shot of penetrant oil and then smeared a liberal coating of "silver Anti Seize" in the axle nut and on the axle bolt threads and bolted them back on.

I will never have another seized bolt or nut again!:D Anti Seize works!!!!!

I didnt mean to imply the penetrant alone would be all you need. An impact or perhaps a pneumatic chisel with a blunt tip, applied carefully to the sleeve/tube or bolt might help, and using short sharp impacts by hand or pneumatics, rather than brute force via a leverage bar hung on the end of a wrench is always a better approach. Not knowing what tools you had to work with, I thought wintergreen oil would be a good start to whatever was to follow.

I buggy and land sail on Lake LeFroy by Kambalda in Western Australia, which is 23 times saltier than the sea.

Make sure you use Nickle anti seize, as "Copper coat" anti seize reacts with salty conditions over time.

Rust won and after two days of soaking and trying to get to move- I have finally got it removed. Unfortunately the removal process included a 5 inch cutoff wheel to protect from damaging the wheel or fork. So I am now in need of a front axle bolt and spacers. The project continues.

It's too late but I'm surprised pb blaster wasn't mentioned. Excellent stuff. I always have a couple cans on hand. It might not have helped in this case but it is great penetrating oil.

Aerokroil is my go to penetrating oil.

sean- pb blaster was what I used sprayed it on several times over the course of 2 days. All the spacer and one of the bearings was free. Issue boiled down to the fact I had no way to provide impact without risking damaging the plastic hub and I figured the bolt and spacers would be cheaper and easier to source then a hub.