Freeing sticky bolts: Share your tips

After working with Snap-On for ten years there's no going back. Having a cheap ratchet blow it's guts when your leaning into sucks big.

 

lol, how come you're not using a breaker bar or wrench when you need so much force as to lean into the tool? Ratchets are made to speed up the process of removing and replacing nuts and not for breaking them loose.

 

Tips from an Automotive Engine and Transmission Engineer

First, WD-40, its cheap, and most people have it. WD-40 is an oil based product. Its meant to lubricate. If a bolt and thread is locked due to frictional torque only, it will work.. course, with the propper tool, you can do the same job with out WD-40.

Tapping fluid. Also a lubricant, but also contains a chemical which pits metal on microscopic level, and allows the oil to rest in the little pockets it creates. Bolt and thread which is siezed due to some metal swapping or chemical reaction, this is a good method. put some tapping fluid on it for about 10 mins, and again, use the correct tools. Liquid Wrench is also another good product.

Solid punch and hammer. As described above, often if its simply rust, a good solid smack on the head will be enough to break it free. These need to be good straight, solid hits. dont use a screwdriver, or some brass, Drift punches and a good ball pin hammer.

Hot vs Cold. There are several products out there which can help here. The point is to get the bolt cold, and have the metal shrink away from the hole. Some times you hear of people heating up the bolt... wrong. got it backwards. The hole needs to be hot, and bolt cold. This method isnt the best.

Center punch and hammer. If you arent affraid to loose the bolt, and replace it, get a good Center punch, and angle the punch. Tap the punch while attempting to turn the bolt by knocking it around with the center punch.

easy out set. crude, but effective. cut off the head, drill a small hole for the bolt, insert easy out, smack it a few times, and turn the broken bolt out. be careful when drilling as to not make the hole too big, that you damage the threads.

if the threads are damaged, go ahead and drill the bolt and threads to be just to the size of the hole, and thread depth. insert a heli-coil and buy a new bolt.

Remember, as Squirrel said, use the right tools, use good tools not crappy cheapy Auto-Zone tools, take your time, and keep your anger in check... just to re-emphasize; use the correct tool for the job.