Removing free float.

[jink122]

Hey Calgunners,

I just bought an AR upper, it shipped to my house with a free float tube installed. I want to take the tube off to put on a quad rail free float but the darn thing is stuck on tight. I have no idea on what I could do to get it off. Im thinking a gator grip with some oil maybe? its difficult because there is no place to get leverage to give it torque.

Any bit of advise will help. Thanks in advance.

[G-forceJunkie]

Big strap wrench. I got one from Snap-on designed for oil filters for diesel trucks.

[BigRich]

I just need to ask, the gas tube is out of the gun already, right?

[Whiskey84]

Don't some of these require heat to release the lock-tite?

[Sydwaiz]

If it's factory installed, it most likely has loctite on it. In that case, a little heat goes a long way. Even if it doesn't have loctite, the heat will expand the aluminum making it easier to break loose with a strap wrench.

[jink122]

Yes it came from the factory, so im guessing it does have loctite? It has few areas where it looks red around the ring which im guessing is that. How would I apply heat without charring or marking up the tube?

It has a low pro gas block so it does not get in the way.

[G-forceJunkie]

It it one or two piece? Whisky point is if it is one piece, the gas tube has to be removed first.

Yes it came from the factory, so im guessing it does have loctite? It has few areas where it looks red around the ring which im guessing is that. How would I apply heat without charring or marking up the tube?

It has a low pro gas block so it does not get in the way.

[mydogsmonkey]

don't forget to remove the gas tube, also get a good bench to hold the upper, if your bench is flexing it'll never come off

[Sydwaiz]

You can use a heat gun or even a propane torch as I have done. As long as it's just black anodized, you really wont hurt the finish as long as you don't over do it.

[BigRich]

Your low pro gas block has a gas tube that runs through the nut holding the forearm onto the receiver. If it is still in place it is preventing the forearm from turning. If you don't pull the block and tube out of there first you are going to cause all kinds of damage.

[Sydwaiz]

Your low pro gas block has a gas tube that runs through the nut holding the forearm onto the receiver. If it is still in place it is preventing the forearm from turning. If you don't pull the block and tube out of there first you are going to cause all kinds of damage.

Only if it's a one piece FF tube. Two piece is no problem.

[jink122]

Two piece.

Thanks to all for all the advice, special thanks to John323 for offering to get it off for me.

[jink122]

Just an update, strap wrench and my knee popped her off. Second question,

My new freefloat is threaded different from the old one. (Different companies) Do i need anything special to take off the barrel nut besides that barrel nut tool? Also know that i need to remove gas block.

[Sydwaiz]

You need a secure way to clamp the upper receiver. If it's a flat top, you can clamp it between two pieces of wood in a vise. If an A2, then you will need an upper receiver block. There are two main types. One is a clam shell type that surrounds the complete receiver and the other inserts from the bottom and uses take down and pivot pins to secure the receiver to the block then you clamp the block in a vise.