Frozen truss rod, old Epiphone Rivoli

fretlessman71 · #1 07-31-2008, 06:34 PM

Yeah, I know someone's going to say it: Do A Search. I did and didn't find what I wanted, so there.

I'd like to adjust the truss rod just a bit, but even though I have the exact right sized allen wrench (a feat in itself!), this baby don't wanna budge.

You can see the corrosion on the truss rod nut; I don't think anyone's tried to adjust this since flannel was "in".

Following the advice of a long-ago poster, I tried to loosen the nut first. Only got about 1/12 of a turn.

It's a 35 year old neck; I just got it; I really don't want to have to fix something I screwed up. I'm inclined to leave it be and have a tech do it.

BUT....

... if there's something I'm not considering here, and you know of what to do (maybe you have experience with old truss rods in short-scale necks on japanese hollowbodies?), please post it here.

I don't expect to hear too much, but maybe....

...and if not, I can take it to my guy next week and have him work his magic. No sweat.

fretlessman71 · #2 07-31-2008, 06:45 PM

"Oil" isn't specific enough for this n00b. Can you help?

fretlessman71 · #3 07-31-2008, 06:51 PM

What about PAM?

Oren Hudson · #4 08-01-2008, 10:28 AM

I wouldn't use Pam unless she's a good sport! The best thing to use is what's called a "creeping oil" that will work it's way down the rod. I personally use a mail order product called Kroil. I found out about it when trying to loosen rusted/frozen spark plugs from a car that had been sitting for a long long time. It worked like a charm. I've since used it on many deals like you're faced with. May be other brands readily available. You'll just need to check around or go to Kroil web and check it out.

Jim Carr · #5 08-01-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

What about PAM?

No, don't. Vegetable oils (Pam sells many) are unstable, are not a good choice to penetrate rust, and in a short time turn to a sticky varnish-like mess.

Use a small amount of one of the recommended penetrating oils. Don't just spray. Get a drop on the end of a nail, and touch it to the threads.

I think I would start with Liquid Wrench. Use sparingly, applying a small drop at each end of the threads if possible--and give it time and some tender twiddling.