Problem With Loosening Keg Gas/liquid Posts

[Amber Fluid]

Does anyone have a "secret' the best way to loosen the Gas and Liquid posts on a keg?

I bought some kegs recently and just went to clean one and the stupid twits have tightened the posts up so tight they are actually embedded into the rubber collar. Gee that peeves me!!!.... why in the world do people tighten them up so much when there is no need?


Edit: would WD-40 effect anything?.... I have tried every possible tool on this unsuccessfully.

 

[kelbygreen]

what have you got to undo them with??? have you tried putting your spanner on and tapping it with a hammer or putting something over or in the end to give you more leverage?

 

[Nick JD]

Fill it with water - it's much more stable.

 

[Amber Fluid]

what have you got to undo them with??? have you tried putting your spanner on and tapping it with a hammer or putting something over or in the end to give you more leverage?

I have tried a plumbers/pipe wrench, multi grips, foot prints, spanners (open end and ring) and pliers but the only thing that can grip it is the multi grips. The post is embedded that far into the collar I can't get a ring spanner to fit properly. I have managed to get the liquid post off and there is a huge dent in the collar where it was but can't budge the gas one.

Fill it with water - it's much more stable.

I usually sit on it, the issue isn't securing the keg it is trying to undo the post.

 

[michael_aussie]

Does anyone have a "secret' the best way to loosen the Gas and Liquid posts on a keg?

I bought some kegs recently and just went to clean one and the stupid twits have tightened the posts up so tight they are actually embedded into the rubber collar. Gee that peeves me!!!.... why in the world do people tighten them up so much when there is no need?


Edit: would WD-40 effect anything?.... I have tried every possible tool on this unsuccessfully.

I've had a few tight ones too.
Some brands of posts have only a very "thin" hex (12 sides actually) that is hard to engauge with a spanner/socket when they have been over-tightened.

The rubber around the top that the posts "squash" into is a pain.

You may need to resort to vice-grips or similiar and sacrifice the posts.

gl.

 

[Amber Fluid]

The rubber around the top that the posts "squash" into is a pain.

You may need to resort to vice-grips or similiar and sacrifice the posts.

gl.

Yes unfortunately but I really would rather do that as a last resort though.

 

[woodwormm]

is it possible to get rid of some of the rubber?

a dremel comes to mind, to 'grind' out some of the rubber.

 

[Amber Fluid]

is it possible to get rid of some of the rubber?

a dremel comes to mind, to 'grind' out some of the rubber.

I thought about doing this but ff I do this will it ruin the collar so then I wont be able to put a new post in if I have too?... just afraid that for a cost of $15 or so is it really worth it?

 

[haysie]

not sure what kegs you are using AF, but is it you cant get a turn or cant get a grip? My friend Arthur could not get a turn on some 23 ltr kegs that he had, so he grinded off enough handle to allow. Work a treat now.

 

[mwd]

WD 40 will not really do anything as the posts are not rusted up but you can try. A pipe wrench will get them off but you probably don't have enough clearance because of the handles. If you cannot get a socket with long handle on then I suggest mole wrench and a good whack with a hammer but you will likely bugger up the flats on the posts.

Mole wrench = multi grip ; make sure it is clamped as tight as possible to minimise slipping and chewing up the metal.

Sounds like something from the oil industry if it is not tightened by a gorilla with a sledge hammer then it is not tight.

 

[TidalPete]

Take note of the right size spanner & have a look around for a pipe socket to fit.
Do you have a mate in the metal trades (or have a local engineering works)? If so find a nut of similar size & he can heat up a bit of pipe & make you a tailor-made socket. Drill a couple of right angled holes for the bar & Bob's your father's brother.

TP

 

[Nick JD]

I used a 22mm (I know it was wrong - should have been American Standard 7/8" IIRC) ring spanner and tapped the end of it with a hammer with the keg filled with water and the lid on. If the keg moves at all when you tap the wrench it won't budge.

A couple of them were nutso tight.

 

[katzke]

Use a knife to cut the rubber back. I have never seen the problem you are having. It could be that you will find the dip tube and o-rings missing on that side.

If you can not cut away the rubber, find someone that works on cars and see if they have 12 point deep sockets. A socket may work better as you can push down on it while a helper pulls on the handle.

Last resort, they may even have a hand impact driver that you can use to loosen the post. A hand impact driver is designed to hold in your hand and while giving it a twist you whack it with a hammer. Much less likely to do damage then an air impact gun.

 

[ianh]

I used a 22mm (I know it was wrong - should have been American Standard 7/8" IIRC) ring spanner and tapped the end of it with a hammer with the keg filled with water and the lid on. If the keg moves at all when you tap the wrench it won't budge.

A couple of them were nutso tight.

I also bought a 22mm ring spanner, actually took the keg to Supercheap to make sure it fit the posts.

 

[Peteoz77]

Or, you could just leave it if it's sealed... Just sanitise well and fill the keg and don't mess with the connects?

 

[altstart]

Take it to a mechanic who has air tools in particular a rattle air wrench it will come out easy as.
cheers Altstart

 

[Amber Fluid]

not sure what kegs you are using AF, but is it you cant get a turn or cant get a grip? My friend Arthur could not get a turn on some 23 ltr kegs that he had, so he grinded off enough handle to allow. Work a treat now.

The keg is a 19L corny with the standard type rubber collar and I cant get a decent grip on the nut/post to turn. I can use a pipe wrench on the post but would rather not have to replace it.

WD 40 will not really do anything as the posts are not rusted up but you can try. A pipe wrench will get them off but you probably don't have enough clearance because of the handles. If you cannot get a socket with long handle on then I suggest mole wrench and a good whack with a hammer but you will likely bugger up the flats on the posts.

Mole wrench = multi grip ; make sure it is clamped as tight as possible to minimise slipping and chewing up the metal.

Sounds like something from the oil industry if it is not tightened by a gorilla with a sledge hammer then it is not tight.

Yeah I reckon the multi grips on the post may be my last resort.

Take note of the right size spanner & have a look around for a pipe socket to fit.
Do you have a mate in the metal trades (or have a local engineering works)? If so find a nut of similar size & he can heat up a bit of pipe & make you a tailor-made socket. Drill a couple of right angled holes for the bar & Bob's your father's brother.

TP

I have a friend who has a pretty substantial tool collection who will check tonight to see if he has a 22mm socket. Something with a bit of length in the body to fit over the post, similar to what you would use for a spark plug.

I used a 22mm (I know it was wrong - should have been American Standard 7/8" IIRC) ring spanner and tapped the end of it with a hammer with the keg filled with water and the lid on. If the keg moves at all when you tap the wrench it won't budge.

A couple of them were nutso tight.

I can't get a grip on the nut to do this. It is half burried into the rubber collar.

Use a knife to cut the rubber back. I have never seen the problem you are having. It could be that you will find the dip tube and o-rings missing on that side.

If you can not cut away the rubber, find someone that works on cars and see if they have 12 point deep sockets. A socket may work better as you can push down on it while a helper pulls on the handle.

Last resort, they may even have a hand impact driver that you can use to loosen the post. A hand impact driver is designed to hold in your hand and while giving it a twist you whack it with a hammer. Much less likely to do damage then an air impact gun.

Or, you could just leave it if it's sealed... Just sanitise well and fill the keg and don't mess with the connects?

Eventually I will need to readdress the problem so might as well do it now before I actually need the keg. I like to pull apart everything when I first get them so I can clean/sanitize properly and lube the rings/seals.

Take it to a mechanic who has air tools in particular a rattle air wrench it will come out easy as.
cheers Altstart

Probably the only people I am aware who would have one is a tire place but would they have the right size. Worth checking out if I fail though.


I will take a photo of it tonight to show what I am dealing with and thanks everyone for your ideas.

 

[Amber Fluid]

The photos aren't very good but this photo is of the liquid post which is now removed. You can see how deep into the collar it was.

and this photo is of the gas post I am still trying to remove. As you may be able to tell, half the width of the nut is embedded into the collar.

I didn't have a chance to tackle it again last night but will try some of your suggestions here.

 

[MattSR]

No galling on the thread? lucky - I bought 4 kegs recently and two were farked...

I reckon i'll just bite the bullet and get some brand new SS ones instead.

 

[booargy]