How to remove small roll pin from brake lock knob

[56servi 28]

95 520H need to remove left side cover to replace U-Clip slide on nuts.  Got bolt & screw off but can't pull out panel with brake lock knob on.  Its a small roll pin holding it on.  Tried small punch & penetrating oil but can't get it to move

Any ideas on how to remove pin or replacing U clips without removing panel?

[Gasaholic 330]

You need a roll pin punch of the right size, and you'll need a block of wood sized just right as an "anvil" to support the bottom side while you pound the roll pin out - they can be a real PITA. Otherwise, perhaps you can break away the plastic and then cut away the core and pin with a die grinder (Ive had to do that a time or two when the dang thing just wouldn't budge) and then replace the park brake rod and new knob & roll pin (both then installed with a dab of never-seez)   If JUST the U-nuts need replaced you CAN push the old ones off and new ones in place with a good putty knife (challenging but do-able) 

[lynnmor 8,018]

I always hold the shaft firmly against the bottom of the hole using the cover as the anvil, then use a punch and hammer to knock it out.  Hasn't failed me yet.

[peter lena 9,375]

@56servi agree on that , like to get some  kroil , into anything  days out  from attempted move , aslo size to size , solid round punch ,like a 3 lb  hammer , just strength against  size to size impact , your first  hit  will let you know , pete   

[JoeM 8,650]

1 hour ago, Gasaholic said:

you'll need a block of wood sized just right as an "anvil" to support the bottom side while you pound the roll pin out

You can drive the pin right down into the wood. I use a left over piece of 2x4

[ri702bill 9,816]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

your first  hit  will let you know

That is the voice of experience.... yup, support it well with the wood between the underside of the lever and the floor. You may wish to lock the roll pin punch into a pair of ViseGrip type pliers - easier to hold it square to the work and gets your fingers away from the hammer....

[peter lena 9,375]

@ri702bill  agree on that , should have referenced the bounce elimination !  thats the key to pin point  movement , thanks pete

[clueless 3,315]

I use Knock Her Loose spray, I think it works better and faster than Kroil. Also if you have a hammer drill, chuck up the correct roll pin bit and hit the pin a few times after spraying it, do this a few times over the next hour or so, the hammer drill eliminates most of the bounce back and helps the spray work better by vibrating the pin. Sometimes depending on how tight it is the drill will knock it out, if not the BFH will get'er done.

[56servi 28]

Thanks for all the ideas.

I put the block of wood under it and tried to hammer it out but no luck  It was soaking with penetrating oil for 2 days but no help.  I ground away some of the plastic around the pin to get more room for a larger punch but know luck.  Cut the knob off and still couldn't get the pin to move.  Going to use a knob I have in my junk bin that mounts with a set screw.

In all the years I have had Wheel Horses I don't ever remember using the lock on the brake, so it should not be a problem

{I HATE ALL ROLL PINS}.

 

[lynnmor 8,018]

On 9/28/2025 at 10:36 AM, 56servi said:

Thanks for all the ideas.

I put the block of wood under it and tried to hammer it out but no luck  It was soaking with penetrating oil for 2 days but no help.  I ground away some of the plastic around the pin to get more room for a larger punch but know luck.  Cut the knob off and still couldn't get the pin to move.  Going to use a knob I have in my junk bin that mounts with a set screw.

In all the years I have had Wheel Horses I don't ever remember using the lock on the brake, so it should not be a problem

{I HATE ALL ROLL PINS}.

 

A block of wood is just an extra firm mattress, what happened when you tried it as in post #3?

[953 nut 61,359]

On 9/28/2025 at 10:36 AM, 56servi said:

It was soaking with penetrating oil for 2 days but no help

[GeneB 0]

I just bought the tractor in July this year.  I want to use it for winter snow removal.  The tractor did run when I got it but needed a lot of work. It had been sitting outside for some time.  I needed to get behind the side panel and didn’t want to spend a lot of time removing a knob  that I will never use.  Not trying to restore the tractor, just make it usable for what I need.

i appreciate all the replies I got and tried them, but I had to move on getting it and the snow thrower ready for winter.  You never know when the 1st snow will fall in Michigan. (Probably little snow this year because I have the tractor)

[nylyon-(Admin) 8,182]

1 hour ago, GeneB said:

I just bought the tractor in July this year.  

 

It looks like you have 2 accounts on RedSquare, we should consolidate them into one, which one would you like to keep, I will merge the other into that one?