How To Loosen Tight Bolts

By  John Smith Updated

Things Needed

  • Wire brush

  • Wrench

  • Hammer

  • Chisel

  • Propane torch

  • Penetrating oil

  • Socket wrench extension

  • Hacksaw EZ out

Tip

When loosening a bolt, it is important to be careful to avoid breaking the bolt. Causing damage to the head will also make it more difficult to loosen.

Loosening a bolt can be either relatively easy or difficult, depending on how tightly the bolt is attached. Over time a bolt can become stuck because rust forms on its threads or it undergoes some other form of damage. Consider several ways to loosen a bolt, starting with good old-fashioned elbow grease and ending with drilling it out after all else fails.

Basic Options

Step 1

Clean around the bolt with a wire brush, removing as much external buildup as possible.

Step 2

Try loosening the bolt with a wrench. If the bolt won't turn, try tightening it and then loosening it. The back-and-forth action might jar it loose.

Step 3

Gently tap the wrench with a tool such as a a small hammer or chisel, and try loosening it with a wrench again.

Step 4

Use a propane torch to heat the bolt. Heat an average-size bolt for approximately a minute–longer for larger bolts.

Step 5

Allow the bolt to cool to the point where it can be touched with a finger.

Step 6

Squirt (or spray) penetrating oil around the bolt. Let the oil soak in for at least an hour. The longer it soaks in, the better.

Step 7

Tap the bolt again with a hammer or chisel to help loosen it, and further allow the oil to seep in. Loosen the bolt with a wrench.

Step 8

Try using an extension (or pipe) on a socket wrench, which is also known as a ratchet. Loosen the bolt with a wrench.

Last Resort

Step 1

Use a hacksaw to cut off the head of the bolt.

Step 2

Drill into the bolt with an EZ Out. An EZ Out is a tool designed to extract bolts if they have become severely damaged or hopelessly stuck.

Step 3

Reverse the drill, and pull the bolt out.

References

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