Thread: How to loosen a recalcitrant bolt?

I would get a Dremel or similar tool with a HD cutting disc and cut the head off. With the cover removed you should have plenty of room to remove the thread with pliers.
Regards Philip A

If you have hex drive fittings (the Allen Key that fits into a socket) I would use a small hammer and tap the drive in. These tend to transfer the turning force into plane of direction more directly than an Allen Key.
Often there is just enough hex left at the bottom of the head for this to grip and the hammer tap helps loosen the bolt.
Sometimes the next size up can be tapped in.
or, Vice grips in conjuction with the above
or, failing this, a centre punch on the on the side of the head, offset from the centre line, as close to the base of the head as possible, tap to loosen.
Some freeze spray may help too.

There are options to drill the bolt head out but it depends on your drill sizes and confidence. Too enthusiastic and you could damage the soft alloy housing.

Do you reckon you could get one of these type of sockets onto that nut:



It is an Irwin bolt extractor. Get them from Bunnings or a good tool shop. About $45 for a 5 socket set from memory.

HTH
David

Try freeze it or freeze ya nuts off or similar. It works brilliantly to overcome that initial resistance. Wish I'd discovered it years ago.

You don't have much room to use any form of stud extractor .
I would get a bolt that fits tightly in the hex ,long enough to give you room to turn the bolt head .
Now weld the bolt to Allen screw ,gently tap down on the bolt and turn .
Worked many a time for me .

Have you tried a left hand helix drill bit? Needs a drill that will turn in reverse. The thrust generated by the cutting action usually just winds stuck fasteners out.

WD40 is next to useless, mix 50/50 ATF and some Acetone and spray that on and leave for a while, or use some heat directly on the bolt head it should release the Loctite, good luck, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by strangy

If you have hex drive fittings (the Allen Key that fits into a socket) I would use a small hammer and tap the drive in. These tend to transfer the turning force into plane of direction more directly than an Allen Key.
Often there is just enough hex left at the bottom of the head for this to grip and the hammer tap helps loosen the bolt.
Sometimes the next size up can be tapped in.

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