How to reattach fence back to the post?

[qq]

  

The wood fence is detached from the wood post. I am not sure how to fix it. It is hard to bring the fence back to that hole. Could not move the fence easily. What should I do to fix it? Thanks.

[Dave-1]

Good afternoon @qq 

So a few questions to help narrow down why the post or rail has moved.

Has the post been bumped into by a car?

Has the rail that is out of its socket rotted.

Has the other end of the rail that has moved out of the socket moved as well?

The other post the rail is connected to, is that still vertical?

A couple more photos showing the whole scene would make it easier to diagnose the issue before you go to the effort of putting things back together or modifying anything.

It looks like the post that we cant see may have been moved which has pulled the rail out of its socket. (Redo that post, as in make it vertical again)

The post you have shown us may be out of true vertical. If it has moved that far by an accident I would suggest to redo the post itself. rather then trying to straighten it. If you try and straighten it I would remove either side of the fence so the post has no weight on it to bring back to being true vertical. Once vertical then you can consider what needs to be done to fix it in place. (Concrete, wedges for short term fix)

Will wait for some more pics if possible then see what else comes to mind.

Dave

[JacobZ]

Hi @qq,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Like @Dave-1 mentioned, either the post in your photos or the one on the other end of the rail has likely shifted. Working out which one has moved is your starting point.

It would then be a matter of pushing or levering that post back to where it was to right the position of the fence rail. You may be able to simply push the post, or you may need to use a long lever like a fencing bar to help you right the post or use a ratchet strap around the two posts to pull them back together.

Once the rail is back in the notch of the post, I'd suggest driving a 75mm Batten Screw through the post into the rail to better hold it in place. Use a 4.5mm drill bit to put a pilot hole in the post, then drive the screw in to lock everything together.

Let us know what you think, and if you've got further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[qq]

Thanks Dave. This is so helpful. I did go back to have another look. The other side of the rail looks good. And the post itself (the one detached with rail) actually not that vertical anymore. I think to follow your suggestion, the best way is to make it vertical again/redo the post before move the rail back to socket? I am thinking is there any simple tools could be used here. The fence is at a corner as well, which I think could be the most fragile part of the fence.

 

[qq]

thanks Jacob. This is really helpful. I just checked that it is hard to make the post vertical. I think as you suggested, probably ratchet strap can help to make it vertical? Thanks.

[JacobZ]

Hi @qq,

Yes, a ratchet strap running around the two posts should be good to pull them back together.

Once they're back together, screw it off, then release the ratchet strap.

Let me know how you go.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @qq 

Thanks for the extra pics and the description

I still like replacing that post if at all possible. In your second new pic you can see what looks like a split. That plus the chance that its been bumped and put a heap of strain on the post all add up to popping it out. You can use a ratchet for sure but would factor in some remedial work as a above medium priority. 

You could support the weight temporarily with some chocks underneath the bottom rails, then remove the post. That way you have a match post you can copy if needed.

Dave

[qq]

Thanks Dave, in that case, I better to get someone to come in to have a look. Thx for the advice .