What is strictly forbidden to do (force)?
The main mistake many beginners make is the thoughtless approach to twisting and the use of "force" methods.
Remember, in order to unscrew a stuck element, it is important to be patient and not rush. Problem solving requires a consistent approach and dimension
Haste in resolving an issue can cause many problems.
So, car owners often rush to unscrew a rusted bolt and tear off its upper part.
The result is the drilling of the broken product, which will take a lot more time.
In addition, the result of haste can damage nearby nodes with the key, which will lead to the need for additional investment.
Before starting work, draw up an action plan, and then proceed with its implementation.
If you work in a hurry, the total cost of time and money can be higher. Moreover, there are enough methods to quickly unscrew a rusty nut or bolt. We will talk about them below.
Unscrew the broken bolt
In order to remove the broken off bolt with an extractor, you will need to use a drill. You also need to take drills, dies for taps, a strong core. In the broken "culprit" it is necessary to make a hole, the diameter of which should not exceed the diameter of the thread of the broken bolt.
The extractor has a reverse thread.
An extractor is screwed into the hole. When screwing the extractor, or rather its reverse thread into the broken bolt, you remove it together with the latter.
If the bolt breaks off and it is possible to reach it, then you need to restore the geometry of what is left of it. Use a file or coarse sandpaper. Then you need to carefully tap the surface. Otherwise, the drill will always walk along the remainder of the bolt and it will not work to make a hole strictly in the center. It is also necessary to maintain alignment. The hole should be drilled as close to the center of the bolt as possible.
It is necessary to start drilling with a small diameter drill and clearly position the hole in the center. The centered hole can be expanded very easily. The diameter of the extractor must be taken 1mm larger than the diameter of the hole
It is important not to drill through the hole so that the extractor has something to catch on
The extractor must be screwed into the recess of the bolt surface. Then the extractor must be installed in the recess and hit with a hammer, trying to hammer into the hole like a nail. After that, it should remain in the recess.
It is necessary to clamp its head with a die and rotate in the direction of unscrewing the bolt itself. You need to rotate the die slowly and as carefully as possible. Crashing into the bolt, the extractor tightens it as much as possible and transfers its torque to the broken off “culprit”. In turn, the torque will unscrew the broken bolt.
How to unscrew a stuck nut on a wheel
When starting this hard work, you need to prepare:
- box spanner 6-sided,
- hammer,
- chisel,
- liquid for dissolving rust (WD-40, kerosene, diesel fuel, hydrogen peroxide and others).
You can only unscrew the nut if you damage the joint (sticking) with rust of both parts. "Blurred" rust will allow you to affect the thread, the nut will turn. Consider several ways to unscrew the nut without shearing:
You can only unscrew the nut if you damage the joint (sticking) with rust of both parts
Method 1 - moisten the fasteners with WD-40 or any other product that has a high flow property and dissolves the formed oxide. After waiting about 20 minutes, until the liquid "works", tap with a hammer around the entire perimeter of the nut. With a hexagon, start unscrewing it in reverse forward movements.
Method 2 - try to tighten the wetted nut first
In this case, the softened layers of rust will crumble, carefully swing the nut back and forth and begin to unscrew.
Method 3 - if the nut does not give in, you can try the tapping method, in which the formed uniform layer of rust is destroyed. Use a hammer to apply sharp but light blows to the side faces of the nut, being careful not to bend the bolt
Repeat the process several times. Make sure the fasteners are loose. After the next wetting with the preparation, the nut can be unscrewed easily.
Method 4 - if the previous manipulations did not bring the expected result, you will have to destroy the stubborn node:
the nut can be cut to the ground. To do this, in the direction of unscrewing the nut, apply strong blows with a hammer to a chisel attached to the side face of the nut at an angle,
if the nut is available, you can cut it along the axis with a hacksaw for metal or a grinder,
if it is impossible to cut (there is little space for access), try to drill out the nut using a drill,
if it is impossible to work with a drill, then cut grooves up to 1 mm deep on the edges of the nut with a well-sharpened chisel. Gradually go deeper along the grooves into the nut body. It is easy to unscrew the deformed nut, but you will have to use a new one during the restoration process.
Method 5 - there is another very unpopular way, since careless handling can damage the paintwork of the machine. It is known that when heated, metals expand and can "dump" the oxide
This work must be done carefully and quickly, so as not to heat the bolt or the entire connection, but only the nut. For heating, you can use improvised means - from a match to a blowtorch and boiling water. You can apply this method to the entire threaded connection. To do this, it is necessary to heat the threaded connection several times to + 230C and cool it down. The change in temperature will break down the oxide in the threads. Lubricate with any penetrating lubricant (kerosene, diesel fuel and others). We unscrew the nut.
Why is a rusty bolt or nut difficult to loosen
Any metal fasteners inevitably corrode and rust over time. The process is accelerated if bolts, nuts are often exposed to an aggressive environment:
- contact with water;
- interaction with chemicals, including detergents;
- street dirt, dust, corrosive salts - they accelerate the corrosion processes.
Despite the special protective coatings against rust, if the surface of the fastener was even slightly damaged, then over time the process of destruction is inevitable.
After some time, the rusted bolt must be removed and replaced, but a problem often arises - it does not loosen. Due to the oxidizing processes of the metal, rust builds up on the fasteners and parts and the surfaces "seize" to each other. If this process develops at the location of the bolt thread, then the situation becomes even more difficult.
Preparation for work
It is not always possible to find on hand the necessary equipment for such work, especially at home. You can use the tools at hand, which can be found in almost every owner.
Cover the bolt with a cloth soaked in kerosene before unscrewing the bolt.
The longer the rags sit on it, the easier it will be to unscrew.
In the absence of time, you can treat the bolt with clean kerosene or WD-40 grease. It is necessary to tap the bolt with a hammer, then sprinkle with WD-40 or kerosene.
After 1-2 minutes, tap the bolt again and start unscrewing it. In the absence of lubricant and kerosene, you can use brake fluid or ordinary vinegar.
Heat
Heating is very effective in difficult areas such as a manifold, muffler or catalyst. There the bolts really stick to, from the high temperatures. It will not work to unscrew them with WD-40, and it is difficult to apply acid under the car. Therefore, here you need to act by the "wedge-wedge" method knocks out. That is, if it has become attached to heating, then you need to unscrew it through it.
If the mount is small, then it can be heated with an ordinary soldering iron, hold for about 10 - 15 minutes. However, if the case is difficult, this will not help. A burner with an open flame works great here - special cans are sold. The bolt heats up almost to a red color, the metal expands (the "sticking" effect is weakened), now it needs to be sharply cooled (preferably with a penetrating compound, like WD-40), it turns out like a mini blow, you can safely unscrew it.
Prophylaxis
Judging by the information given above, it is not difficult to unscrew a rusted bolt or nut, but it takes a lot of time and effort.
It's easier to avoid problems and take into account a number of recommendations. Below are just a few of them:
Cover the nuts that hold the muffler with an anti-corrosion compound before tightening. After that, treat the product with grease (for greater efficiency, add a little graphite to the composition). This avoids sticking.
Wash the engine and the car in general from time to time. Dust and dirt that accumulates on the surface accelerates the corrosion process.
Buy only high quality fasteners made from durable metal
When choosing, pay attention to such a criterion as strength class. Try not to skimp on nuts and bolts, because the use of cheap products leads to a number of problems in the future.
At the same time, the question of how to unscrew a rusted mount can become very relevant. Remember that this is about reliability and durability, which savings are inappropriate.
Do not leave your car in an adjoining or outdoor parking lot. Storing the vehicle in a closed garage is an opportunity to reduce the risk of corrosion on the joints. The negative influence of rain or cold has a negative effect on the condition of the body, as well as the vehicle mountings.
In the process of performing work, use only high-quality tools - gas or spanners, as well as special heads. Of course, this will require more money to buy, but it is more convenient to use such a tool, and the mounts themselves last longer. A good tool allows you to solve two problems - to maintain the integrity of the nut and protect it from damage, and also to stretch the fastener with the required torque.
How to unscrew a stuck bolt
Car repair is often more difficult due to the presence of corrosion and oxidation of the fasteners. For example, at the factory, during assembly, the master did not process the threads with lubricants, and during operation water got into it. As a result, the bolt seemingly stuck tightly, but such a nuisance can be dealt with in several ways.
Unscrew rusted bolt or nut by tapping
Tapping the bolt removes rust and scale, so it becomes easier to unscrew it. The operation is carried out with a hammer, turning with a special tool in order to create a torque
With care, as you can damage the product and you will have to drill it out. After removing the fastener, it is cleaned of rust and treated with graphite grease.
If available, put on an anther on the connection.
Using solvents
In the arsenal of any experienced car enthusiast, there is always a set of fluids to fight rust and other plaque.Basically, they use WD-40 with good penetration into microgaps, the cost of which starts from 100 rubles. Along with it, brake fluid, white spirit, kerosene, Coca-Cola are used. Unlike WD-40, other liquids have a weaker effect, and it is better to pour them into a container and place the stuck compound in it for greater effect.
If the bolt has become attached to the A-pillar, the solvent can be carefully poured into the glass. The main thing is not to damage the elastic bands on the racks, otherwise you will have to change them.
Moisten a rag with any means, wrap a nut and leave for a while. Then the bolt is tapped to destroy the softened rust and proceed to unscrew it.
Thermal method
When the solvent fails, fire and cold can be tried. Any major auto or hardware store sells a gas burner that heats the bolt to a bright orange color. Then they cool it with machine oil and try to weaken it. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the process is repeated again.
This method does not always help, and in close proximity to the paintwork, the fuel tank is very dangerous. When working with a gas burner, you must follow the fire safety rules and do not use it if there is no fire extinguisher at hand.
Sprays are used to freeze the products to save the bolt for later use. But such reagents are mainly used by professionals, since in a domestic environment this is a costly and unprofitable business.
The problem of rusted bolts and nuts
It is important to remember that the fasteners in question are made of metal. This means that the bolt and nut are corroded.
Products used in a car are afraid of moisture, rain, fog or snow. All this can become a catalyst for the formation of rust and the appearance of problems with twisting products.
No less difficulties are created by sand, salt or chemical compounds, which are sprinkled on the road surface in winter.
Special reagents have a negative effect on body metal and accelerate the formation of rust on car threaded elements.
As for sand, it carries certain risks at any time of the year - in winter and summer.
Small grains of sand, hitting a metal surface, leave microcracks on it, which only accelerates the corrosion process and complicates the maintenance process for the car owner.
Another risk factor is the vehicle's cooling system, which may lose its tightness during operation.
If water is poured inside, in the event of a leak, it enters the joints and accelerates the process of scale and loosening problems.
No matter how the car owner protects the car, each of these factors has a negative impact.
That is why it is important to know how to unscrew a rusted nut or bolt without creating additional problems for yourself (for example, damaging adjacent and expensive vehicle elements)
Problem prevention
If the bolts rust and cause a lot of inconvenience when unscrewing, it is worth putting an end to this problem. Professionals advise:
- Be sure to cover all attachment points of parts with a special silicone grease before tightening them. Thanks to this, metal fasteners are protected from corrosion for a long time.
- It is advisable to conduct a routine inspection of auto parts or plumbing from time to time. You should not start the process if a slight rust is noticed on one of the fasteners. It is always easier to replace fasteners and parts at the initial stage of corrosion than to deal with rust when it has completely eaten away the metal.
- Tighten the fasteners in accordance with the tightening torque of similar threaded connections.
If you use high-quality fasteners, their service life will be long.
If, having previously selected the necessary tools, you use one or several of the listed methods at once, then the rusted bolt will surely surrender. But it is better not to hold out to extreme situations and carry out periodic technical inspections.
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Effective ways to unscrew a rusted bolt or nut?
If we consider more effective ways to deal with rust, it is worth highlighting the following methods.
Heat.
From the physics course, we know that metal tends to expand against the background of an increase in temperature. This feature can be used to solve the problem at hand.
To unscrew a rusted nut, warm it up well, then immediately try to unscrew it.
It is important here to act quickly so that the metal product does not have time to cool down. The essence of the manipulation is that due to uneven heating, rust is deformed and has less restraining force.
Heating can be carried out in any available way. This could be a gas torch, candle, lighter, or even a soldering iron.
You can also use a blowtorch or other device.
When using this technique, be careful and remember about contraindications. In particular, heating is not recommended if wood or paintwork products are located in the connection area.
In this case, the part will be damaged, and you will have to spend money on its replacement.
Tapping.
You can unscrew a rusted nut or bolt using the folk method - by tapping around the perimeter of the part.
Mechanical action on each side allows to achieve greater deformation, contributing to the crumbling of rust.
Be careful not to damage the edges of the nut when tapping. Otherwise, the unscrewing task will become more difficult.
Twist.
You can also go the other way. First, tighten the nut (bolt) with maximum effort, and then try to swing the joint and displace the rust layer in this way.
If the manipulation is successful, it will not be difficult to unscrew the nut or bolt.
Wax cup (difficult, not practical, but possible).
This technique cannot be called popular, but in terms of efficiency it does not lag behind "competitors".
The algorithm of actions is simple. Blind a cup-shaped form of plasticine or wax so that its sides are above the level of the nut (about 2-3 mm).
After diluting the sulfuric acid, pour the liquid into the prepared cup and add a little zinc. This chemical combination provides a galvanic effect and the ability to unscrew the part.
Destruction.
If none of the above methods gave results, and the upper part broke or was severely deformed, there remains one more solution - the destruction of the bolt and its drilling out of the vehicle part.
Here, to complete the work, you will need a hand or electric tool, as well as a set of drills of a suitable diameter.
Before drilling, place the drill bit in the center of the bolt and hit it with a hammer. This is necessary to deepen the product in the central part to a certain depth.
At first, work in small steps and make sure that the drill goes exactly in the central part (tilting to the left and right side is prohibited).
Start with a small diameter drill, and then take a larger piece.
When choosing a drill, pay attention to two criteria - price and country of origin. Please note that high quality products cannot be cheap, because hardened steel is used in their manufacture, and sharpening is done in a certain way
Please note that high quality products cannot be cheap, because hardened steel is used in their manufacture, and sharpening is done in a certain way.
At the same time, special drills do an excellent job with aluminum, cast iron and other materials (including fragile ones).
To ensure correct drilling, use special lubricants, thanks to which it is possible to solve several problems at once - to protect the drill from strong heat, cool the metal and lubricate the drilling elements. As a result, the whole process is facilitated.
Cases when it is difficult to unscrew the bolt
Threaded connections have the unpleasant property of losing their mobility over time. To avoid this, the fasteners to be connected are made of different metals, for example, steel and brass. Or the mating pair is made of stainless steel. But that rarely happens.
Basically, steel fasteners are used in mechanisms, assemblies and metal structures. If it is in a humid environment, then over time, corrosive processes begin, which significantly complicate dismantling when the need arises. There may be several reasons why hardware (metal products) do not want to be unscrewed.
The edges are torn off
Each fastener must be tightened with a certain amount of force during assembly - sufficient to ensure the strength of the connection. By applying excessive force, it is possible to break the threads of small products - from M3 to M12.
For larger fasteners, this is no longer scary, so many men tighten bolts and nuts with maximum effort. This is bad for any hardware. When the time comes to disassemble the connection, parts damaged during assembly can greatly complicate the task: with a rolled slot - a screw or screw, with torn edges - a bolt or nut.
Most often, a hexagon turns an open-end wrench that has only two working planes. Therefore, if possible, you should always use a spanner, head or special tool.
But if the edges are already "lapped", they do not always help. The tool rotates and the fasteners remain in place.
Rusty nut
Corrosion processes always lead to the appearance of rust, which tends to swell and grow in size. As a result, the thread is jammed. Unscrewing a rusty nut becomes problematic. Auto mechanics, locksmiths, and craftsmen who work at home are all faced with this.
In addition, the nut can rust not only in the area of the thread, but also in the place of contact with the product. Sometimes the puck doesn't help either. The connection becomes monolithic over time. To disassemble it, you have to work hard.
The bolt got stuck from time to time
Often there is a situation when fasteners cost years before disassembly on mechanisms. During this time, it manages to stick to the body of the structure so strongly that the strength of the connection can be compared to that of a welded one. The most difficult to unscrew in these situations are hardware that is subject to thermal effects.
Car enthusiasts and service mechanics know how difficult it is to unscrew the exhaust system fasteners on a muffler or resonator. Sometimes any way to move a stuck bolt out of place is powerless. It remains only to destroy the connection using one of the mechanical methods.
