Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am doing a project and have a couple of stuck bolts. They are in a place where a breaker bar wouldn't be of much use. I do not currently own an impact wrench however I do own a compressor if I need an impact gun. I would like to avoid the expense of purchasing a tool (impact gun) that I would likely use only once.
The bolt is a 5/8" bolt (if that matters). So far I have soaked it in WD-40 and used a torch to heat it up. I have also tapped it with a hammer.
Any ideas on how to loosen it up? I just went back out and soaked the heck out of them with WD-40 again and was thinking I would let it set overnight, apply heat again in the morning.
I notice you are in TN. Kano is a TN based company and makes a penetrating oil (Kroil) Penetrating-Lubricating Oils that works extremely well. I don't know if they distribute across the state or not but try that if you can find it or PB Blaster. WD-40 is really a water deterrent (WD) and cleaning agent, not a very good penetrating oil or lubricant. You can also try a home-brew which I have heard works very good, 1:1 Acetone:Auto Trans. Fluid.
Use heat... MAPP torches are sold everywhere and are generally hot enough for getting really tough bolts out. An acetylene would be ideal if you have access to it. Remove the bolt while it is just below glowing. Get a long extension to use a breaker bar if you can. Or you can try an impact, find an equipment rental store, some chain autoparts stores have impacts and other tools that can be rented for free, just pay a deposit.
Generally, you should be able to get most stuff out, being liberal with PB Blaster, heat, and an impact gun. Let that PB sit overnight, and then hit it again with PB.
Don't use WD-40 for this stuff. It's not woth anything as a penetrating oil.
When trying to remove a bolt using heat you need to get the area around the bolt hot so it will expand more than the bolt itself. Knowing what type of bolt it is is also helpful. If it is rated for high strength it will not break off as fast as a weaker one where the metal is softer . Be careful using too much force at once or it can break off and then YOU WILL have a bigger job.
If you already have a compressor, and the fastener is accessible with an impact wrench, then most definitely buy, rent, or borrow (don't steal) an impact wrench and try that. After years of working on cars with nothing but hand tools, I was amazed at what a difference having an impact wrench and air ratchet made.
And like crestliner said, when using heat, don't heat the bolt, heat whatever it's threaded into.
Thanks all for the advice. I will get some real penetrating oil and try again. While I'm in town I will ask the autoparts stores about renting an airgun.
Just keep in mind the following: what you should heat is not the bolt, but the surrounding metal (around) the bolt. Also, you should heat the metal far enough from the bolt to avoid heating the bolt. The idea is for the metal around the bolt to expand before the bolt does, at which time you have a few seconds to start loosening the bolt.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
