Heating the Bolt to Loosen It 1 Heat the bolt with a propane torch if it’s still stuck. If the bolt doesn’t budge when you try loosening it with the extended wrench, it’s time to try using heat to un-stick the bolt. Turn on a propane torch, and hold the flame about 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) away from the bolt.
How to use heat to remove a stuck bolt?
Safety Tip
- Be sure to close the valve before you screw the nozzle onto the tank. ...
- Use a rag to soak up the excess wetness. Before you fire up the torch, soak up the excess penetrant with a rag.
- Adjusting the gas output for lighting. ...
- A nice, clean propane flame. ...
- Using a flame to loosen the bolt. ...
What is the best lubricant for rusted bolts?
- Penetrates corrosions and loses rust bolts
- Gives high lubricity with low viscosity
- Can take out tough to tough rust
- Best for smaller nuts
What is the best spray to loosen rusted bolts?
Top 8 Best Penetrating Oils to Remove Seized Bolts
- Kano Aerokroil Penetrating Oil. For the toughest rusted bolts, it’s hard to beat Aerokroil. ...
- B’laster Penetrating Catalyst. B’laster is another well-known penetrating oil product due to its price point and effectiveness. ...
- Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil. ...
- Gasoila Free All Rust Eater. ...
- CRC Knock-Er Loose Penetrating Solvent. ...
- Castle Thrust Penetrating Oil. ...
How to loosen stubborn bolts?
How to Remove a Stuck Bolt
- Method 1 Method 1 of 4: Loosening a Bolt with a Wrench or Pliers. Spray penetrating oil under the bolt head and around the nut. ...
- Method 2 Method 2 of 4: Heating the Bolt to Loosen It. Heat the bolt with a propane torch if it’s still stuck. ...
- Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Removing a Rusted Bolt. ...
- Method 4 Method 4 of 4: Destroying a Stuck Bolt. ...
Will heating up a bolt loosen it?
Torch Your Stuck Bolt Using a flame to loosen the bolt. Now heat the bolt and nut. Put the flame directly over the stuck part, or the part you can get to safely. Heat it for 30 seconds or so and it should free up easily.
How much heat does it take to loosen a bolt?
Aim the flame at the bolt head, not the surrounding metal. Heat for about 15 seconds, but do NOT get it cherry red (overheating damages the bolt's temper, and you'd have to replace the bolt).
Why does heat help loosen bolts?
If you're talking about a nut on a bolt, heating the nut more than the bolt will cause the nut to enlarge relative to the bolt. This action is simple and straight-forward -- you should simply take care to concentrate the heat on the nut, not the bolt.
How do you loosen a bolt that won't budge?
0:032:50How To Remove a Stuck Nut or Bolt - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a 6-sided wrench or socket. If the bolt still won't break free consider using a tool extender toMoreUse a 6-sided wrench or socket. If the bolt still won't break free consider using a tool extender to added torque just be careful not to break off the head of the bolt.
Will heat loosen a rusted bolt?
Another method to loosen a rusted nut and bolt is to use a heat torch on low or moderate heat. Heat will allow the rusted nuts and screws to expand so that they can be loosened.
Will a propane torch loosen bolts?
1:398:53Removing Stuck Bolts, Fasteners and Components with a Gas Blow TorchYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can rotate that easily with your thumb. And finger. So watch again how easy this is open theMoreAnd you can rotate that easily with your thumb. And finger. So watch again how easy this is open the valve. Hit the button you have immediate heat. And it's very stable. I can I can turn the valve
Does heating metal make it expand?
When a material is heated, the increase in energy causes the atoms and molecules to move more and to take up more space— that is, to expand. This is true of even a solid such as a metal.
Does metal shrink when heated?
Metal expands when heated. Length, surface area and volume will increase with temperature.
How do you free up a seized bolt?
2:236:49How To Free Up A Seized Bolt or Nut - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou would actually see that a lot better and now it's ready to use boom. You take that and you dripMoreYou would actually see that a lot better and now it's ready to use boom. You take that and you drip a little bit of that. Like that onto a frozen nut for a frozen bolt.
How do you heat a bolt without a torch?
3:575:47Heating Stuck Nuts & Bolts Without A Torch - Wrenchin' Up - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProperties you can do a three quarter inch nut. In like 15 seconds eats it up so it's pretty quickMoreProperties you can do a three quarter inch nut. In like 15 seconds eats it up so it's pretty quick and it's a good replacement for a torch especially nowadays everybody's talking about safety.
How do you remove a rusted bolt without breaking it?
5 tips for loosening rusted, corroded, and stubborn nuts and boltsTip #1: Scrape away excess rust. ... Tip #2: Soak the threads with Deep Creep. ... Tip #3: Add extra torque. ... Tip #4: Apply heat. ... Tip #5: Use an impact tool. ... Remove even the most stubborn fasteners with Deep Creep.
What happens to a bolt when it cools?
As the bolt cools, it contracts. The contraction, however, is not constrained. This means that the bolt can shrink in all directions, making the bolt slightly smaller.
How to get a stuck bolt to release?
One other way to get a stuck bolt to release is to shock it by hitting it sharply. Generally this is something you do something large like a valve but I think the underlying problem is the same. For rust, I would expect that this can shatter the brittle structure of the oxide. Another factor is that there are two types of friction. There's static friction and kinetic friction. Consider a heavy (filled) cardboard box on a floor. If you try to slide it, it will initially be 'stuck'. Once the box starts moving, it slides much more easily. This is the same reason it's bad to lock up the brakes on a car. Once the rubber starts sliding, the friction is significantly reduced.
Why does a bolt get stuck in the first place?
The actual reason this usually works is that rust is significantly larger than the steel it's rusted from, which is why the bolt is stuck in the first place. In some other instances the reason heat works is that the bolt was applied with a threadlocker that requires heating to remove (if it comes out with no sign of rust, that's a pretty good bet)
Why can't a bolt expand inside a hole?
When the bolt is heated, it expands. Since the shaft of the bolt is constrained, it can't expand inside the hole.
Why does a bolt cool faster than a nut?
Air however is a much better insulator, so I suspect that the bolt cools faster than the nut because it makes contact with more metal, which acts as a radiator.
What direction does a bolt expand?
The bolt expands in the direction of the green arrow, but cannot expand in the direction of the red arrows. As the bolt cools, it contracts. The contraction, however, is not constrained. This means that the bolt can shrink in all directions, making the bolt slightly smaller.
How to stop a door from moving?
Put a penny in a door jamb and close it. The door will be almost impossible to open, because friction will hold it in place. The flexing of the rest of the door will prevent it from moving. A rusted bolt is essentially the same principle - many small bonds formed on the threads of the bolts by oxidized metal prevent it from turning.
How to loosen a bolt in a car?
Applying heat with a propane torch can expand a nut (or threaded opening) and loosen it. If you've tried everything and still can't free a bolt or nut, try heat. But first make sure the fastener is a good distance away from hoses, belts, gas tanks or anything else that might burn up your car or kill you in an explosion.
How to loosen a stuck bolt head?
That offset means sockets are likelier to slip off heads and round over shoulders. Fit the closed end of the wrench over the bolt head and try tugging in short pulses, instead of a full-throttle pull. That'll help loosen rust-bonded surfaces. If that doesn't do it, tap on the wrench with a plastic, brass or wooden mallet. It's a good way to loosen the bones in your hand, too, so wear leather gloves and keep your fingers well away from the impact zone!
What tool to use to loosen bolts?
When you're dealing with really big stuck bolts, a pipe wrench might be your best option, especially if you don't own a giant set of wrenches or sockets. The long handle and aggressive jaw teeth will loosen the most stubborn bolts. Just make sure you get the jaws tight against the shoulders. Pipe wrenches are also a go-to tool when bolt shoulders have been rounded over.
How to remove rust from a bolt head?
If the area is soaked with penetrant, spray it with nonflammable brake cleaner to remove it before you apply heat. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Once you've established that it's safe, aim the flame at the bolt head or nut, not the surrounding metal. Heat for about 15 seconds, but don't get it cherry red. Then spray the bolt head with water to cool it quickly. Continue spraying until it no longer steams. The expansion/contraction cracks the rust, so add more rust penetrant, let it soak and then add vibration by tapping it with a hammer or other tool. Then try to loosen it.
What is rust penetrant?
Rust penetrants contain a solvent to dissolve rust, a lubricant to reduce friction and a surface tension reducer to get deep penetration. “Home brews” like Coca-Cola, kerosene and mineral spirits don't have all those ingredients. Neither does WD-40 (it's a great lubricant, but it's not formulated as a rust penetrant). Those products simply don't work as well or as fast as actual rust penetrants (find penetrants like Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil, Royal Purple Maxfilm and PB Blaster at home centers and auto parts stores). Soak all the bolts for at least 15 minutes before you attempt removal.
What do you need to loosen small nuts and bolts?
An impact driver and a set of high-end hex-shaft nut drivers are all you need to loosen small nuts and bolts. For larger nuts and bolts, you'll need an impact gun and a set of six-point, impact-rated (black finish) sockets. Ordinary chrome sockets can't handle impact work and may crack or shatter under the stress.
What happens when you give a stuck bolt?
Right when you're giving a stuck bolt all your muscle, wrenches will slip, bolt heads will snap off and your hands will get smashed against something sharp. So always wear gloves and try to orient tool handles so your hands will be clear if a tool slips.
How to remove a bolt with heat?
Herein, how do you remove a bolt with heat? Use a Bernzomatic torch and a little elbow grease to loosen frozen, rusted or stubborn nuts and bolts. For stubborn bolts, heat the bolt, then move the flame away and apply WD-40 against the heated bolt threads.
Why does a bolt shrink when heated?
When the bolt is heated, it expands. Since the shaft of the bolt is constrained, it can't expand inside the hole. This means that the bolt can shrink in all directions, making the bolt slightly smaller.
Why do metals expand when heated?
Some metals expand more than others due to differences in the forces between the atoms / molecules.
Do you heat a nut or bolt?
Secondly, do you heat the bolt or nut? Yes,heating the nut is the preferred method - get in there fast with a lot of heat and the nut will expand away from the bolt,undo the bolt before the heat has a chance to transfer and expand that. Makes your spanners a nice blue.
How to get oil out of a bolt?
Tap the end of the bolt a half-dozen times with a hammer to help loosen the threads and allow the oil to penetrate. Wait another minute or so for the oil to work, and then use your wrench.
How to unstick a bolt?
Use heat first. Heat, oil and tapping will unstick most nuts and bolts in metal. Apply only enough heat to cause expansion in the entire bolt—about a minute or so for the average-size bolt. Then use oil and a hammer to loosen. When the bolt is cool enough to touch, squirt penetrating oil (it comes in a spray can or squirt bottle) ...
How to fix a bolt head that is rounded?
Use locking pliers to grip the fastener. When a bolt head has become so rounded that a wrench won’t get a bite, use locking pliers. Get a tight grip: You may have only two or three chances before the head gets so rounded that even this won’t work. Use penetrating oil, heat and tapping if it slips after your first try.
How to loosen threads on a screwdriver?
First select the largest screwdriver that’ll fit, and tap the butt of the screwdriver handle with a hammer to loosen the thread bond. Lean your weight onto the screwdriver to keep it in the slot as you turn it with the wrench. Careful—too much torque will bend the screwdriver tip.
How to crack a no turn nut?
Just slip the ring over the nut and turn the tooth into the nut until it breaks.
How to gain leverage on a bolt?
Use a short pipe to gain leverage. Be a cheater by slipping a short length of pipe—a cheater bar—over the end of your tool handle . The extra length gives you much better leverage. Be careful, though, not to use so much force that you break the tool (voiding the tool warranty) or break the head off the shank of the bolt.
How to cut a slot in a bolt?
Use a hacksaw to cut a new slot at a right angle to the old one. For big screws, put two blades in your hacksaw, right next to each other , and cut a wider slot so you can use a big screwdriver. This is also a great way to get a grip on the head of a stuck carriage bolt, which has no slot or flats.
How long to heat a bolt that won't loosen?
If the bolt still doesn’t loosen, heat it with the propane torch for another 10 minutes, or move on to another method.
How to remove a bolt that is not loose?
I suggest first spraying the bolt with WD-40 to see if that loosens it up. If not, you may need to use a tool, like a cold chisel, to knock off the head of the bolt so you can remove it.
How to remove a stuck bolt from a screw extractor?
If the screw extractor doesn’t remove the stuck bolt itself, pull the bolt out with a wrench. Set the end of a box wrench over the head of a drilled-out bolt and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the bolt.
How to loosen a bolt with a box end?
Loosen the bolt with an extended wrench. Insert the end of your box-end wrench into a hollow metal bar. Hook the wrench onto the bolt and grasp the nut with a pair of large pliers. Hold the nut in position and pull on the end of the wrench. Give 4-5 sharp tugs and see if the bolt moves.
How to unscrew a stuck bolt?
Try to unscrew the stuck bolt with the extended wrench. Hook the end of your box-end wrench around the head of the stuck bolt, and hold the wrench at the very end of the extender bar. With your other hand, grip the nut with a large pair of pliers. Pull sharply on the end of the wrench to try to loosen the stuck bolt. Ideally, the penetrating spray will have weakened the bolt’s resistance so that it loosens.
What to use to loosen a bolt?
Use a pair of vice-grip pliers if the bolt or nut are stripped. If the sharp hexagonal sides of the stuck bolt have been stripped and rounded, a box-end wrench will slip off when you try to loosen the bolt. Vice-grip pliers have teeth on the inside of their rounded jaws and can be fastened tightly around the flat surfaces of a stripped bolt.
How to remove a rusted bolt?
Strike the head of the bolt 6-12 times with a hammer. Once the rust-penetrating thread loosener has loosened up the rusted bolt, hit it with a hammer to jar the bolt out of the position its stuck in. Blows from a hammer can also create micro-fractures throughout the bolt, making it easier to remove.