Siezed Up Bolts

[J. Clarke]

That's a common misconception. When we had a problem with the nylon nuts on the P-3, the first thing my boss suggested was all-metal nuts. Checked the Mil-spec and found that they were rated for a much shorter life than the nylon nuts. Took it to the lab and found out that the spec was right.

Of course this was with mil-spec nuts procured to an MS number. It might be that the ones that one buys from hardware stores that do not specialize in MS and aviation-grade fasteners might not last as long.

Yep. Was a real pain--some genius had designed the thing with flat-head Allen bolts, which have a little tiny recess compared to regular socket-head cap screws. So they'd go in all right but trying to get them out after they'd been torqued the wrench stripped the hole every time and they had to drill. Fixed it with dry-film lubricant (I forget the brand now--it was 20 years ago).

[patrick conroy]

Grasp Magic Wand firmly in left hand. Twirl slowly three times, counterclockwise. Say "Ala-ka-zaaaaaaaaaam!" real loud.

That should do it!

Oh wait - maybe that's the one for "rabbets".

[Gordon Airporte]

Now you'll need to find a new assistant who's 1.5' shorter too.

[The Davenports]

You forgot my personnal favorite...

the Chevy wrench

[Greg G.]

I seriously doubt that he is using MIL-SPEC fasteners. More likely he is using Chinese locknuts from the Borg. ;-)

From my experience with the BORG's fasteners, the heads break off before you can get a normal amount of torque on them...

This is true.

FWIW,

Greg G.

[Dave W]

[J T]

Fri, Oct 1, 2004, 5:45pm (EDT+4) [e-mail] (Aaron=A0Fagan) claims: I started to take the nut off to replace it with the proper length of bolt. Long story made short, after lots of heaving, sore knuckles, and a can or two of WD-40 later, the nut will not move at all! What should I do to remove this?

Well, you sure fooled me.

I must be missing something. I read your post. I read a batch of the replies. Cut the bolt?

The part about "sore knuckles" makes me think you were trying to unscrew it using your fingers.

I've never had any problems taking one off. Just use a wrench on the bolt head, and another wrench to take the nut off. Then substitute a shorter bolt, and you should be able to reuse the nut - providing it is the proer size for the bolt.

Lost your magic stick, eh?

"The possible made impossible."

JOAT We will never have great leaders as long as we mistake education for intelligence, ambition for ability, and lack of transgression for integrity.

- Unknown

[Mark and Kim Smith]

How about stovers?

[Phisherman]

It happened to me too when trying to replace my car muffler. It was a tight spot so I used a new hacksaw blade to cut off the bolts. New bolts are inexpensive.

[loutent]

Seized bolts? Hell...you ought to wrestle with seized spark plugs!

Possibly a boring story-but I'm tellin' it.

I had this '87 Maxima to which I naively assumed the plugs would last 100K. Around 65K, I knew I "needed" to replace them - Sunday afternoon of course. Got out all my craftsmen sockets & sure enough,

3 (of 6) broke off - right in half.

S--t! Aluminum heads too.

Can't get too aggressive. Got me the biggest flathead in my arsenal and tapped it down, gently into the first plug - you know, the cavity around the ceramic center. Clamped my big pipe clamp to the handle. Tapped down, tapped on the side, sprayed with WD-40 - repeat a few times & spray the ones to come. Wait 30 min. Repeat for about 3-4 hours

- got to drive to work tomorrow!

Couldn't believe it when I got them out - with a lot af bruises & cuts, but it taught me a lesson about persrverence (sp)!

Anyhow, they eventually all came out and the new ones slid in real fine. But I swore then never to change my own plugs again - or if I do, stick to 25K miles or so.

15 years later (and retired) I find myself doing more of my own car maintenance again. Back to doing my own oil/filter (hate waiting 2 hours at the fast lube place for something that takes me 15 min).

Not WW, but FWIW!

Lou

[Greg G.]

Ah, forgot the anti-seize, eh? Had to remove a head on a car bought at auction because of that - and it *never* came out. FWIW,

Greg G.

[Michael Baglio]

"It's levi-OH-sah, not levi-o-SAH." :)