Sweet iron bit is stuck!

[Flying_Form]

I have an old sweet iron bit that I took out of the tack room to try on a different horse - however it’s been awhile since it’s been used and the joint between the eggbutt side and the edge of the sweet iron mouth piece is stuck in a fixed position on one side and it’s very hard to loosen by hand I mean ROCK SOLID!! Any tips on how to loosen it ? I’ve never had this issue when it’s been in use - I suppose because it’s been sitting there for a year it has just rusted and is stuck on one side

 

[cobgoblin]

WD40 followed by a good wash?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would try a bit of oil perhaps soak the bit that stuck for a while.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would give it a good smack on something solid

 

[Flying_Form]

I tried that not a hope! I think wd40 is my next step

I would give it a good smack on something solid

 

[Flying_Form]

Tried oil the other day to no avail so will try the wd40 and point the nozzle to get right in there, and follow it up with a very hot water wash. Hopefully it works so will update here for anyone who experiences the same

 

[JackFrost]

Soak in coca cola. Cuts through rust well. (Might taste better than WD40 )

 

[Melody Grey]

Is it stuck or a type of joint that’s got fully rotated round back on itself and twisted together? Might be worth trying to rotate if so?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I have an old sweet iron bit that I took out of the tack room to try on a different horse - however it’s been awhile since it’s been used and the joint between the eggbutt side and the edge of the sweet iron mouth piece is stuck in a fixed position on one side and it’s very hard to loosen by hand I mean ROCK SOLID!! Any tips on how to loosen it ? I’ve never had this issue when it’s been in use - I suppose because it’s been sitting there for a year it has just rusted and is stuck on one side

you could try horse safe oil like vege or sun flour oil to reduce the after taste, just soak it over night

 

[Cortez]

There are various rust removal products out there, if the WD40 doesn't work.

 

[Carrottom]

I had a similar problem, I soaked for a few days in cheap cooking oil which loosened it a bit and then worked it more by hand. It would stiffen up though so I stopped using it.

 

[spottypony90]

White vinegar is also another good thing to soak through rust

 

[Flying_Form]

Is it stuck or a type of joint that’s got fully rotated round back on itself and twisted together? Might be worth trying to rotate if so?

It’s an eggbutt so it’s stuck in the same position and moves backwards and forwards - not like a loose ring that can move back, forward and around (which would be far easier to fix unfortunately for me )

 

[Flying_Form]

I had a similar problem, I soaked for a few days in cheap cooking oil which loosened it a bit and then worked it more by hand. It would stiffen up though so I stopped using it.

Yes, I’ve gotten it loosened a bit with wd40 and can move it a bit more but still very stiff.

 

[Flying_Form]

Soak in coca cola. Cuts through rust well. (Might taste better than WD40 )

Thanks for the advice - it’s currently soaking overnight in coke in the tack room so I’m hoping it works a miracle!! I did check on it before I left and it seems to have loosened up a bit more so hopefully the all nighter gets it less stiff

 

[Flying_Form]

White vinegar is also another good thing to soak through rust

If soaking it in coke doesn’t work this will be my next stop this bit will have been through the MILL!!

 

[Flying_Form]

Update: sorry for the late update guys!

WD40 sprayed on and soaked didn’t work, so went back to the drawing board and thankfully had a very strong boyfriend who managed to move the joint slightly enough so I could work some wd40 into it while moving it back and forth (it was totally stuck before this). After I loosened it slightly and I mean slightly I took the advice above and soaked it in coke for about 3 days. While it is still not as loose as the normal side I can definitely say the coke made a huge difference. It is easily moveable now and usable, it’s still not as loose as the other side but it was literally fixed into position before this so I’ll take it!