IMBEL FH Removal

cromwell · April 10, 2006, 09:01

I just tried to remove the flash hider/combo device from an IMBEL parts barrel with the usual hand tools, and just about busted: A) the FH, B) the barrel, C) my barrel vice, and D) my own bloody self.
FYI, I'm trying to save the FH for a Para build barrel, tho' I realize they're pretty cheap. (Guess I am too... )

HOW does one get this thing off??? Tried WD40, tried heat, and the barrel stub/FH is now in the freezer in hopes of 'shrinking' it off...

'Preciate any help.

Akicita · April 10, 2006, 09:21

just took mine off...no problems...its a left hand thread...try turning in the opposite direction...

Lon Moer · April 10, 2006, 09:37

Stoll & combo removal

jrm927 · April 10, 2006, 10:13

For the very impatient, a 3/8" socket extension will fit inside the flashider and doesn't cause too much damage - grenade launcher adapter still screws in.

cromwell · April 10, 2006, 11:23

Thanks gents.
I am aware it's a left-hand thread; think it's just stuck...Maybe mud/crud of wherever it was last used/dropped. I might try the socket if all else fails.

**bykerhd** · April 10, 2006, 11:49

More penetrating oil, more heat. You can fit an open end wrench to the flats of the flashhider with some Dremel & file work. That may, or may not remove it. And then there is the 3/8" ratchet.

Here is a link to a method posted by a member a while back. The bolt was an odd thread as I recall, and might be a problem to find, but the method is supposed to work.
Imbel Flashhider removal

**bykerhd** · April 10, 2006, 11:52

The picture in the link says 1/2" x 20 bolt.
That doesn't sound too uncommon. Must be my old memory playing tricks again.

3doghouse · April 10, 2006, 20:46

KROIL

rob1 · April 10, 2006, 22:00

If'n for some reason you either can't get it or mess it up lemme know and I've got some spares lying around and would send ya one.

Nodak · April 10, 2006, 22:32

Yes, it is 1/2" fine thread (20tpi).
I sprayed mine well with breakfree. Let it sit overnight.
Then I added about 4-5 washers to the 1/2" bolt because the length I had bottomed out in the threads.
Then with the barrel mounted in the barrel vice, I used an Impact wrench.
That worked VERY well!

tac-40 · April 11, 2006, 22:00

Quote:

The picture in the link says 1/2" x 20 bolt.
That doesn't sound too uncommon. Must be my old memory playing tricks again.

I got mine from LOWES. Just look for them in the specialty fastener drawers. Got the nut to use as a jam-nut there also. Cost was less than $5 for both.

**Cozmacozmy** · April 12, 2006, 00:40

Took lots of heat to get mine off...first time I've seen Kroil not work

NHBandit · April 12, 2006, 17:49

Thread a bolt into it with a washer and use a 1/2" drive air gun with some heat. Never had one I couldn't get off without damage.

TRANSAM 79 · April 12, 2006, 18:46

I had one that wouldnt come off.I read here to give the end a good rap or two with a hammer.It came right off after that.Use a piece of soft metal if you dont want to damage it.

OG · April 13, 2006, 12:12

Heat the rear portion of a FH with a propane torch for about 30 seconds.
That expands it and it is much easier to turn.

Lon Moer · April 22, 2006, 12:50

Bump for brownknees

brownknees · April 22, 2006, 15:11

Thanks for the bump.
It worked like a charm.
Note to others attaching one this way.
Make the locking nut TIGHT, Oh so tight. I'm sure this wont happen removing one as the threads on the bolt tighten as the combo loosens. But using it to time one being added you really need to get that locking nut jammed in there good.

brownknees · April 24, 2006, 17:51

Follow up on timimg the combo.
The bolts & washer setup kept losening up about a half a hair shy of time. So I did this.
Bought a cheapo, but long handled 3/4" combo wrench from K-Mart.
Got out the Honkin big ajustable wrench.
put one loong strip of 0.5mm shim stock round the combo device & fitted it into the "slots".
Took off the handguards so I could get to the flats at the breech end of the barrel.
Wrapped 2 turns of "Gaffers tape" (from good camera stores, or B&H photo) round the back of the barrel/front of the reciever.
Pulled the cocking lever out of the way.
Tightened the aforementioned big ajustable on the flats of the barrel.
slid the open end of the wrench into the cutouts on the combo, over the shim stock.
Laid the whole mess on the floor & had the missus (who is "well built") stand on the wrench handle.
Torqued the 1/2" wrench till it all lined up.
Bingo!
not a scratch on the barrel, reciever, me or the missus.
Now that's WECSOG!

April 10, 2006, 09:01	#1
cromwell Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 6624 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 126	IMBEL FH Removal I just tried to remove the flash hider/combo device from an IMBEL parts barrel with the usual hand tools, and just about busted: A) the FH, B) the barrel, C) my barrel vice, and D) my own bloody self. FYI, I'm trying to save the FH for a Para build barrel, tho' I realize they're pretty cheap. (Guess I am too... ) HOW does one get this thing off??? Tried WD40, tried heat, and the barrel stub/FH is now in the freezer in hopes of 'shrinking' it off... 'Preciate any help. __________________ "A Man-of-War is the Best Ambassador." -Oliver Cromwell

April 10, 2006, 09:21	#2
Akicita Registered FALaholic #: 18860 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 137	flash hider just took mine off...no problems...its a left hand thread...try turning in the opposite direction...

April 10, 2006, 09:37	#3
Lon Moer Registered FALaholic #: 12098 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CA Posts: 3,521	Stoll & combo removal __________________ I've known daredevils and I ain't got nothing against them.....its just they're all dead.

April 10, 2006, 11:23	#5
cromwell Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 6624 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 126	Thanks gents. I am aware it's a left-hand thread; think it's just stuck...Maybe mud/crud of wherever it was last used/dropped. I might try the socket if all else fails. __________________ "A Man-of-War is the Best Ambassador." -Oliver Cromwell

April 10, 2006, 20:46	#8
3doghouse Registered FALaholic #: 5240 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Augusta, GA USA Posts: 714	KROIL __________________ :fal:

April 10, 2006, 10:13	#4
jrm927 Registered FALaholic #: 17151 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Harvest, Alabama Posts: 43	For the very impatient, a 3/8" socket extension will fit inside the flashider and doesn't cause too much damage - grenade launcher adapter still screws in.

April 10, 2006, 11:49	#6
bykerhd Dinosaur Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2798 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burlington Vermont area Posts: 13,262	More penetrating oil, more heat. You can fit an open end wrench to the flats of the flashhider with some Dremel & file work. That may, or may not remove it. And then there is the 3/8" ratchet. Here is a link to a method posted by a member a while back. The bolt was an odd thread as I recall, and might be a problem to find, but the method is supposed to work. Imbel Flashhider removal

April 10, 2006, 11:52	#7
bykerhd Dinosaur Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2798 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burlington Vermont area Posts: 13,262	The picture in the link says 1/2" x 20 bolt. That doesn't sound too uncommon. Must be my old memory playing tricks again.

April 10, 2006, 22:00	#9
rob1 Registered FALaholic #: 529 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chapel Hill, TN US Posts: 2,160	If'n for some reason you either can't get it or mess it up lemme know and I've got some spares lying around and would send ya one. __________________ Alright you primitive screwheads, listen up. See this? THIS is my BOOMSTICK!

April 10, 2006, 22:32	#10
Nodak Registered FALaholic #: 15521 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Dakota Posts: 325	Yes, it is 1/2" fine thread (20tpi). I sprayed mine well with breakfree. Let it sit overnight. Then I added about 4-5 washers to the 1/2" bolt because the length I had bottomed out in the threads. Then with the barrel mounted in the barrel vice, I used an Impact wrench. That worked VERY well!

April 12, 2006, 00:40	#12
Cozmacozmy Senior Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 9260 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 984	Took lots of heat to get mine off...first time I've seen Kroil not work __________________ Jeff NO, Freedom is not FREE

April 12, 2006, 17:49	#13
NHBandit Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 7986 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 3,933	Thread a bolt into it with a washer and use a 1/2" drive air gun with some heat. Never had one I couldn't get off without damage. __________________ Live Free or Die

April 12, 2006, 18:46	#14
TRANSAM 79 Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 17867 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 582	I had one that wouldnt come off.I read here to give the end a good rap or two with a hammer.It came right off after that.Use a piece of soft metal if you dont want to damage it.

April 13, 2006, 12:12	#15
OG Registered FALaholic #: 19022 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 127	try heating it Heat the rear portion of a FH with a propane torch for about 30 seconds. That expands it and it is much easier to turn.

April 22, 2006, 12:50	#16
Lon Moer Registered FALaholic #: 12098 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CA Posts: 3,521	Bump for brownknees __________________ I've known daredevils and I ain't got nothing against them.....its just they're all dead.

April 22, 2006, 15:11	#17
brownknees Registered FALaholic #: 14917 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: mid atlantic Posts: 12,015	Thanks for the bump. It worked like a charm. Note to others attaching one this way. Make the locking nut TIGHT, Oh so tight. I'm sure this wont happen removing one as the threads on the bolt tighten as the combo loosens. But using it to time one being added you really need to get that locking nut jammed in there good.

April 24, 2006, 17:51	#18
brownknees Registered FALaholic #: 14917 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: mid atlantic Posts: 12,015	Follow up on timimg the combo. The bolts & washer setup kept losening up about a half a hair shy of time. So I did this. Bought a cheapo, but long handled 3/4" combo wrench from K-Mart. Got out the Honkin big ajustable wrench. put one loong strip of 0.5mm shim stock round the combo device & fitted it into the "slots". Took off the handguards so I could get to the flats at the breech end of the barrel. Wrapped 2 turns of "Gaffers tape" (from good camera stores, or B&H photo) round the back of the barrel/front of the reciever. Pulled the cocking lever out of the way. Tightened the aforementioned big ajustable on the flats of the barrel. slid the open end of the wrench into the cutouts on the combo, over the shim stock. Laid the whole mess on the floor & had the missus (who is "well built") stand on the wrench handle. Torqued the 1/2" wrench till it all lined up. Bingo! not a scratch on the barrel, reciever, me or the missus. Now that's WECSOG!

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