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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Tricks for siezed-up bolts

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b_nadenbousch

01-11-2004 18:16:56




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I have a heck of a time trying to free up bolts that are siezed up. It can turn a 5 minute job into an eternity. I wanted to clean the muffler screen on my old stihl chainsaw and rounded the head on one of the hex bolts. There is no room to get to it with pliers. So just like the bolt... I am stuck. If any one has some "magic" tricks for this problem, please let me know.




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Bernie in MA

01-14-2004 16:25:58




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
I had a wisconsin engine off a highway sander and the heads on the cast iron base bolts were completely rotted away. I got them good and hot and burned a hole down thru the centers with a torch. They came out easy with a hammer and punch.



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MarkB

01-12-2004 18:53:26




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
My secret weapon against rounded bolt heads and stripped screw head is a pair of very small Vise Grip pliers. They're about 4 inches long and you can get a hold on fasteners that are hopelessly wrecked. You can get into pretty tight places with these, so even if you haven't been able to get pliers on the bolt head you may still be able to grab with the Vise Grips.

I think that there are couple of styles of small Vise Grips: you want the ones that are smaller versions of the standard Vise Grips. Don't get the needle-nose version; they don't have enough gripping power.

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Jeremy

01-12-2004 14:42:19




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
Try the craftsman bolt outs they work like a champ.



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Jerry B

01-12-2004 07:35:46




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
The way I cure this problem is to remove the head of the bolt.

Remove the parts from the area to prevent damage. Place a larger nut over the stub of the bolt and weld it with a mig or stick welder making sure to fill the hole completely in order to get good adhesion and maximum heat transfer.

When the bolt head cools and looses all its color, place a water soaked rag over the head of the bolt and cool it until most of the sizzle is gone. Quickly turn the nut to remove the broken bolt.

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RayP(MI)

01-12-2004 11:43:57




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 Re: Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to Jerry B, 01-12-2004 07:35:46  
Had a lugnut that tire dealer virtually destroyed a while back. He kept pounding smaller sockets on it, and destroying whatever remained with an impact wrench. Finally brought it home, got a small drill and carefully drilled down through the lug as close to center as I could. Followed that up with larger drills, until I had one that about exactly matched the threads. That one allowed me to break off remaining lug. Then I could remove tire, brake disk, etc and install new stud and lugnut. Have had to drill out several broken bolts over the past few repairs. It's not a fun process, but will often work as last resort. Often, when you get most of the bolt out, you can go in with small picks, chisels, whatever, and remove remaining pieces of thread, run a tap in the hole, to clean up threads, and you're back in business.

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Nominday

01-11-2004 21:24:14




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
When all normal techniques have failed, working to create some sort of a new head can save the day. Slotting for a screw driver might help but for a more serious grip, use a Dremel or small chisels to form a square head for an available 8 point socket. Also, a healthy whack with a punch the size of the threaded portion can be productive.



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John Ne.

01-11-2004 20:16:20




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
Try driving on a fresh six point socket, or in the case of a half inch bolt head, go to a 12MM socket in six point, tap it down onto the rounded bolt, a set of metrics comes in handy this way. with plenty of luck and penetrating oil, just might work. Have heard good things about the new Craftsman rounded/bolt sockets. John in Ne.



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EIL

01-11-2004 19:11:04




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
Run the engine till it's hot, use an impact, heat with a torch, hit bolt head with hammer to break rust loose or use a drift punch small enough to reach the inside of the hex head, use lots of penetrating oil.



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Mac

01-11-2004 18:40:31




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 Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to b_nadenbousch, 01-11-2004 18:16:56  
Have you tried one of those new craftsman bolt outs???Work pretty good on rounded nuts or bolt heads.



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Bob

01-11-2004 18:44:40




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 Re: Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to Mac, 01-11-2004 18:40:31  
Get some Kroil from Kano Labs, put a little on and let it set. In a few hours they will turn out if you use it before you damage the head.



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Alvin n Ms.

01-11-2004 21:39:28




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 Re: Re: Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to Bob, 01-11-2004 18:44:40  
If everything else fails, drill it out with a left hand drill bit. alvinnms



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dan d.

01-14-2004 16:47:25




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to Alvin n Ms., 01-11-2004 21:39:28  
everything I see here are good suggestions. But the only thing that works for me everytime is heat. Get it red hot and let cool, repeat the process 2 or 3 times. Usually after the 2 time the rusty rascal will break loose. Before you beat or try to install another size socket or other means such as vise grips, try the heat thing. Years ago when I worked in the oilfields the old timer hands and mechanics always liked the heat thing. They would always say get the torch and "heat her up" regards dan d.

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TAB

01-14-2004 21:23:04




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Tricks for siezed-up bolts in reply to dan d., 01-14-2004 16:47:25  
Yep yep. The ol' gas ratchet is a wonderful thing..... if getting things hot won't hurt anything. Loosened up something just last night by "heatin' her up".



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