How to loosen a recalcitrant bolt?

Heat!

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Originally Posted by Aaron IIA

Use a hex key with a 1/2" drive, then use an impact driver.
Aaron

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X2.

Cheers, Mick.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Yield works well, and with the damaged head... "Drive" a torx bit into the head of the bolt and wind it out :cool:

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Chemsearch Yield. Great stuff. I call it miracle fluid. Only drawback is the price, bloody expensive.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks!

I forgot to mention that due to my living arrangements (apartment in the Inner West) I lack any kind of workshop so, blasting things with heat and welding isn't an option. Most of my mechanic-ing takes place in the communal car park or on the kitchen work top (my to the annoyance of the missus).

Anyway, I couldn't find a bolt extractor at Bunnings, but I did buy a pair of needle nose vice grips. Using these to grip the bolt and a second pair of vice grips to grip the vice grips holding the bolt I was eventually able to free this ****er so all is now resolved.

Thanks for all the ideas!

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Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Heat!

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I thought this from the start of the thread I have only just read this why are we the only ones to think this;) . A simple butane torch of fleabay for $7.oo a couple of cheap butane disposable cans and away you go .
I have 3 one in the tool chest at home one in the car and one in the camp trailer:D

Just drill the head off and extract it later

sometimes when they wont loosen first couple of goes

you try to tighten a tad then try to loosen

is surprising how many times it works..

Angle of tongue and correct expletives are also critical to success...

Have used the hammered in torx bit to remove pre-damages cap screws a number of times. A few sharp hits in the centre with a small drift/punch helps too.

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Originally Posted by sam_d

I forgot to mention that due to my living arrangements (apartment in the Inner West) I lack any kind of workshop so, blasting things with heat and welding isn't an option. Most of my mechanic-ing takes place in the communal car park or on the kitchen work top (my to the annoyance of the missus).

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If you don't have room for a full oxy set, get a MAPP gas set. You can then heat metal to red, silver solder and bronze weld.
Aaron