PLEASE HELP!! Bungee replacement

[lemon lime]

I've clamped down as hard as my vice grips allow. In fact, my hand soreness is from trying to screw the lock as tight as I can. This either results in the stripping the bushing of brass while it moves underneath, or the vice grips slipping out of position when I turn the hex screw. I've even tried using a piece of rubber matting in between the bushing and the pliers for a better grip -- doesn't work. I can't find a way to position the pliers securely enough on the bushing without also touching the screw.

 

[meesier42]

well, apparently you have a special blend of loc-tite that just won't let go

try cutting the bolt with dremel tool or even a hack saw, all you'll have to do is cut the head off the bolt or completely strip the brass off the nut and pull it out of the hole.

 

[lemon lime]

well, apparently you have a special blend of loc-tite that just won't let go.

You can say that again! I finally have the bungee straps on but not after literally tearing everything off with pliers. I actually tried to unscrew the bushing after freeing them from the fins. Watch this and this (with special mock aggravation). I managed to unscrew only 1 out of 4.

Pictures, too: first of one bushing on the fin after trying to use a vice grip on it, second of tools used and resulting devastation. (Hmm, I actually never used the wrench, but it was there on standby)