http://www.dslreports.com/forum/tower-nuts-and-bolts-22760587 en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:41:55 EDT Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:41:55 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22788506 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22788506 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:26:22 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22788004 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22788004 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:26:50 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22762820 said by AMD Phreak:

Wow...

Is that tower located near an incinerator or something?

You might want to have a tower engineer inspect it for safety sake.
The exterior has been exposed to a lot of acid type rain, causing the pitting and strange looking surface. It is not affecting the tower structurally. I have seen and been on other galvanized towers that appear the same way, although they were down south, close to the ocean.

Anyway, taking out one bolt at a time will not affect the structural integrity if removed for a short period of time. You could remove one bolt on every support and the tower won't drop.

What does concern me is that in the one picture, it appears as though someone with a MIG welder who didn't know what they were doing worked on that tower, although it could also be a short piece of cable sticking out too?
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»www.wavecrazy.net
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22762820 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:07:00 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22762609 said by shorthairedp:

Youre in a real pickle of you pull a bolt and the tower shiftsThats why you only remove a single bolt at a time, right?

Do it on a calm day with no wind, and you should be fine.

But yes, if youre not sure, get a pro in to do it.

But in my not-so-expert oppinion, there doesnt appear to be much wrong. Just looks like some surface rust to me. It they had started to show signs of degradation I'd start to get worried, but these appear to be in relatively good condition. Some even appear as though theyve been greased in the past (they look blackish in colour).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22762609 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:24:54 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761831
Id say call the closest tower dealer, they will inspect it for you dirt cheap.

Youre in a real pickle of you pull a bolt and the tower shifts, the only options at that point are hiring a crane to lift it up so you can line the holes up, reaming it our (bad idea) using a smaller bolt (worse idea) leaving it (worst idea, if the tower fails, you are personally liable at that point)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761831 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:39:46 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761586
but if it were me i would get a pro to come do it. of course, i would not be climbing in the 1st place though!
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761586 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:38:17 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761525
:D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761525 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:27:28 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761388
Is that tower located near an incinerator or something?

You might want to have a tower engineer inspect it for safety sake.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22761388 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:58:34 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22760680
As far as what type of bolts, a grade 5 or 8 will suffice. A grade 8 bolt will have a higher sheer capacity.

I'm by no means an engineer though, hopefully someone else will come along and correct me if I am wrong.

Edit - I do suggest at minimum spraying the bolts with some cold-galv to help cut down on further rusting.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-tower-nuts-and-bolts-22760680 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:42:26 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/tower-nuts-and-bolts-22760587 ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/tower-nuts-and-bolts-22760587 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:26:57 EDT