How To Remove A Rounded Nut Or Bolt Without An Impact Wrench

In this video I go over your options on as far as what you can use to remove and replace a rounded off bolt or nut.
Pittsburgh Bolt Extractor Metric: amzn.to/2aRGuSZ
Pittsburgh Bolt Extractor SAE: amzn.to/2bneNBb
Awesome Impact Bolt Extractor Kit Here: amzn.to/2aRFMoT
Locking Vise Grips: amzn.to/2aRFUo9

[@mufarowashejoshuamangwiro3238]

Fun Fact: 90% of people watching this have been emotionally abused by an inanimate object

[@anthony-oh9rr]

Yup

[@tylohbolton84]

@x aba my tire popped an watched a video saying it's only a 15 min fixed going on an hour and a half now

[@tylohbolton84]

@x aba got it loose thanks😁 was a pain but being determined get shit done lol

[@baileymcclurg7134]

🙄🙄🙄

[@baileymcclurg7134]

@x aba got the nut off my bank 1 o2 sensor. Had to put a fresh one on the for next time. That was not pleasant

[@ThisMeansMyPS3sOut]

Fun fact: Im currently watching this video under my car… after an hour of FAILURE

[@jonathanc8513]

my extrator socket even stripped

[@milkmaster7787]

Fr it’s my drain bolt on my dirt bike 💀

[@MisterMorales1003]

Torque converter bolt 😂

[@danielhicks6406]

I'm here a month later, watching this in the hood my car, also AFTER AN HOUR OF FAILURE 😂

[@InEagleWeTrust]

Hey guys. Glad we’re all in the same boat 😅

[@5ub7even]

I've been trying to do this and honestly it would be easier to just buy a new engine that comes with another free non-rounded bolt

[@limoneros_michoacanos5061]

No digas mamadas

[@cadd9511]

Lolololol.

[@bartcasto2240]

someone has deep pockets lol it's really not that big of a deal there is more then a handful of ways to remove a rounded oil pan bolt . once you get it off , pay the extra 15 bucks for a twist lock, or ball valve , you'll never have a hard time with it again . really pays for itself

[@NomNomPuyo]

loscassetts peke82music se mamo el cabron wey 😂

[@ahmadayyad3995]

Lmao that's facts 😂

[@nikoswans7657]

Went to auto zone. Got the bolt extractor sockets for like $15 bucks. Worked in 3 minutes. I spent almost an hour trying everything from vice grips to channel locks to wd40 to being gentle with a regular socket etc. bought a new plug and am happy. I did have to hammer the socket into place. Thank you.

[@NPC-mt1cz]

Yep, just bought a whole set at harbor freight for $30. Worked fantastic

[@richardfox3924]

@@NPC-mt1cz link?

[@NPC-mt1cz]

@Richard Fox I tried to post a link but can't for some reason. If you google harbor freight bolt extraction socket set it'll come up

[@DerrickSarazin-jr1wo]

Dude bought the same thing still not working

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

Same here!! Lol, I tried everything that I had and only made it worse. Glad I found this video and was able to get my rounded off bolt out of the oil pan.

[@christineslavin921]

changed the alternator for my husband today while he's at work and your video helped. thanks so much for posting :)

[@binladen2739]

Christine Slavin really?! omg! what a woman! do you have a twin or sisters?

[@tonybello8163]

Damn woman your awesome!

[@justiceh4055]

“Why you always lying “

[@gyffjogofl7676]

Will you marry me?

[@adreyanmendez7081]

Yall never heard of women that know how to work on cars or what

[@el-hp1lj]

bolt stripped. sells car

[@Nas678]

e l , me😂

[@Triosmind]

Same

[@MrInfinity97]

😂😂😂

[@shortty7618]

Ive actually seen people do this before LOL. More so when people break a bolt off

[@superior9744]

I broke a bolt on my water pump and now my car is just sitting there

[@steveday2868]

Your the man! Hammered a smaller socket then used impact wrench. Came right out. A big 7 year later, THANK YOU!

[@hoskinsfilms6227]

I chose to watch this video because it was 5 minutes. There are other videos that are 12 minutes long that manage to tell you less information. I'll let you know if these solutions worked, but I appreciate you getting to the point.

[@ottofumbler7267]

👍🏻 This is still the only video I can find that shows a true to life situation. Anyone who knows, instantly realises why this bolt is rounded-off in the first instance... ageing vehicle, big thread / high torque bolt, limited access for impact tools, and permanently open to corrosion. Whenever I come across something this bad, I always renew the bolt with a fresh one, and I often use a copper crush washer, or some copper grease when reinstalling (with a few exceptions). Give yourself (or the next guy) a fighting chance.

[@msfkmsfk]

You are my hero. You just explained pretty much all my questions and concerns in one short video. You also explained the issues I was having as well. Now I would love to see a video on how to remove oil filters in hard to reach places.

[@davidts3444]

Stab it with a screw driver and twist

[@gunstarhero8028]

Stab a screwdriver through it and turn that

[@ptcruiser6]

This whole entire video boils down to “go get special sockets”

[@FreethemGuyz]

I see why u say that🤣😂🤣🤣

[@leopers9225]

Not really 😂

[@Dnasty1]

Yes

[@seenonyoutube7856]

Why do some people think they have to use an air impact to tighten a drain plug?

[@ditzyKnight007]

So the person has to come back to have it removed

[@TomTom-gg6sy]

A guy did that to my scooter drain plug and stripped it

[@jonnysnipes3123]

Because they are assholes

[@ericalfred2875]

@@ditzyKnight007 I had this happen to me and when I took it to the mechanic I told him someone had already stripped the bolt and I had a new one. They took the stripped one off, changed the oil and put the stripped one back on. When I tried to change the oil myself several thousand miles later I could not get it off. Trust me, they know what they're doing!

[@billyhill2488]

@@ericalfred2875 Going through this myself. Decided to start changing my own oil again a few months ago and the bolt was rounded off. Was headed out of state and didn't have time to deal with it so took it to my normal place that we've been using for literally decades to have it done one last time. Looked under there and the same stripped bolt was reused. Tried the vice grip method and only made things worse so have a set of Irwin extractor sockets on the way to get the old bolt off and replace it with a brand new drain plug I have here. Back when I changed my own oil I never put the drain plug on super tight and never had a problem.

[@scottr8360]

I'm glad I watched your video. I have a broken off alternator bolt that I need to back out and your solution is perfect!

[@davidbreiner2682]

Just bought this socket set at Harbor Freight yesterday and removed a rounded rusted nut under my van. Definitely worth it with 20% coupon :)

[@randypond7499]

What is the name of it

[@davidlang4442]

Was looking for one to get a 12mm nut off. H F didn't have those. . If you get these nut extractors, get the hex head ones, not just the socket head ones. You can get a wrench on those in a tight spot whereas a socket wrench might not have the room.

[@FireEater]

I’ve had pretty good luck with pipe wrenches. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@sithfan1]

thanks a lot man!!! the torque socket worked wonders on my rounded bolt!! I owe you a beer. haha

[@x-man5056]

When using Vise Grips, adjustable wrench, Channel Locks, always turn toward the moveable jaw. The way you had vise grips on the bolt head first was the correct way. Sounds crazy but it really does make a difference. Think of it like using a pipe wrench where you HAVE TO turn toward the adjustable or moving jaw or it won't bite at all. To remove this bolt I would have used a heat gun to heat the pan up around the bolt. Yes, it will heat the bolt also but the hole, nut, female threaded portion will ALWAYS expand faster than the bolt because the hole has less mass. After heating about 5min, hit it with a shot of CRC freeze off. Wait about 1-2 mins. Wipe the bolt head clean/dry. Then get a good bite on the bolt head with vise grips the same way you did the first try in the video and that bolt should come loose without much sweat. There are, of course times were you can't get the vise grips on the right way. When this happens, put them on the other way and get them super tight.

[@anthonyhamel3497]

THIS THIS THIS 👍👍👍 THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@donadkins9450]

I use the same principle when opening sodas etc. Even if you're right handed, if you use your left hand your grip will naturally tighten as you try to loosen the cap

[@merlin1346]

Another option that i have used myself is to hold a larger nut in place over the rounded one and weld in the centre of it to the rounded nut, then use the appropriate socket to remove, the heat from the weld helps no end. The same can be done for counter sunk allen sockets.

[@stever5887]

The socket type that worked is called a Bolt Grip (by Irwin) or Turbo Socket (made by Hudson Bearing, which originated the helical internal shape). There are Craftsman versions, as well as those offered by Harbor Freight and others. Craftsman uses a through-bolt style, so you grip it with a wrench, or you can use a socket to grip the hex bottom. I believe all the other makes permit you to attach the socket directly to a ratchet by it's square drive end. They all use a 6-pt. grip design which bites into the fastener to hold it; the harder you turn, the tighter the grip. Very effective.

[@danielbarrett5385]

Jjvjjjjjjjjjj

[@babylemonade2868]

Those useless things rounded the bolts even more😆

[@luci-fer250]

will it work on a completely rounded nut

[@LastBastian]

@@babylemonade2868 Yep, tried one of those right off the bat... And it only made things worse!

[@williamrosenow6176]

I have the Craftsman ones that are probably 20+ years old. Christmas present from my wife one year. I have never had one slip or make things worse by rounding. The bolt or nut has always turned but sometimes the bolt breaks. I like the hex bottom so I can use a 1/2" drive deep well socket and impact on them for exhaust studs.

[@1simo93521]

Thanks man! I got some of them rounded bolt remover sockets they worked great!

[@dorrystalkerkilla]

With vise grip you can use a very large pair of channel locks to clamp the grips to the tightest it can go. Once it's off use the channel locks to snap the release mechanism on the vise grips to open them.

[@letsmakestickers19]

You must be a plumber 👨‍🔧

[@dorrystalkerkilla]

@@letsmakestickers19 Naw, just wasn't trying to deglove my hand in - 20 degree winter halfway through a job when I could use mechanical advantage.

[@davewanamaker3690]

Thanks for the video. You kept me from stripping my oil plug further. The darn garage had tightened it too much last fall. I usually do my own. Can you give me advice, please? If I get my nut out should I not use it again? (It's still got good edges I think). Thanks for any help. Was wondering if I should just suck it up and take it to different garage? Have a good week.

[@cameronhicks5225]

Incredible video! Love your dialogue and definitely subscribed!!

[@jkridd2579]

Excellent video!! Exactly what I’m going thru currently taking off my turbo pedestal on my truck!! That harbor freight socket should do the trick!!

[@chrissmay2482]

Just wanted to say thank you. Watched the video on flushing the transmission which Im in the middle of, but 1 bolt on the pan was stripped and the more I tried to get it off, the worse it stripped. Your video on how to remove stripped bolts, i did the drimmel and cut a straight line then used the flathead and hammer to break it loose. Thank you!!!!!

[@voodoo1506]

Great video thanks. Any recommendations on how to remove a welded frame bolt that broke while unscrewing a sway bar bolt off? It’s spinning on both ends and vise grips keep slipping on round mount. Maybe a bolt splitter?

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

Thank you very much for this video! You saved me big $$$ having to get the oil pan replaced and I now also know what tools to use to get rounded bolts off!! I used Irwin bolt removers (special sockets) and it did the job great!

[@TheGomjabar]

Your video helped me take a drain plug out. Thanks brother

[@Afghan-Pride-Till-I-Die]

Great Video Bro.. Thanks for the tips and I'm going to buy me a Socket set that's for extracting stripped bolts!!

[@willg2273]

2 thumbs up. Stripped u joint bolt and couldnt get pliers on it. Desperation pointed me to utube and your remedy worked. Thx

[@AfzalHussein]

Man, tapping with a hammer saved me so much stress and time. Thanks!

[@charleshoward9644]

Thanks for showing the video. What would you suggest in regards to removing a bolt for an 02 sensor? One of the bolts spins, gets tight then loose and keeps repeating. Any suggestions?

[@jacobeschler1872]

Just used your video to remove a bolt on my heat shield. I used the vice grip method which was rounding it but then used my propane torch to carefully heat up the bolt, And Just the Bolt And Not My Hoses, then the vice grips were able to break it free. Thanks

[@rayoh2011]

Thank you, I hope it will work for my Transmission pan rounded bolt. Good video!

[@jakemercer9129]

Never even thought about cutting a notch into it. Thanks.

[@Doctrtony]

Also, air hammer works for when you have no swing room. There are Milwaukee vice grips that allow you to torque them using a screw driver instead of clamping with the force of your own hand!

[@michaelkulman7095]

There is an eye instead of a knurled adjustment knob, an eye you can slide the screwdriver through, right?

[@s0nnyburnett]

Kinda funny how you and scottykilmer both release the same video at the same time with the same title. What you said about swing room made me realize why air hammers are so valuable. Don't know why I never realized it before.

[@myRatchets]

OMG wow its an exact title and all..hahaha I think I released the video first so I can sue him..lol...joking of course!

[@bendude6748]

I usually go for the vice grips or welding a bigger nut over yeh top, hammer and punch works pretty good on small rounded torx screws etc

[@Greyswyndir]

Thanks brother, you just solved my problem (socket extraction kit from Harbor Freight).

[@CC-dn2df]

Thank you! You’re a life saver

[@yimingzheng1047]

Hi, great video. I have a question: how to get out the rusty and rounded axel nut? I have 36mm, but now may be 34-35mm, please help me, thank you!

[@a_toast_to_our_ghost07]

Loved the video sir, thank you and we wish you the best!

[@felplayvina]

I will work on 03 ford explorer 4.0L where I have to remove a intake manifold bolt, they are TX30 insde and round it out side and is one off the middle and the head is busted, any idea what can I use to remove it with out brake the intake??

[@gsanmiguel6]

Brooo thank you so much! Eso mismo me está pasando en el motor del carro... Life saver!!!

[@julianfrancis5850]

what would you recommend when come to try to remove a stripped nut for a fuel filter?

[@riozz5201]

Thanks so much helped a lot 💯

[@SmarterTHANeveryliberal]

You do good work man - great videos - great delivery - good basic shop techniques.

[@Alexz_Archivz]

I just want to take time out to thank you for your suggestion (hammering on a slightly smaller [bolt extraction] socket on a rounded bolt) In my case it was a crankshaft pulley bolt... now I have some kid on youtube to thank for his Dewalt dcf899 impact drill suggestion that I combined with this idea! ...man! I was ready to cry out of frustration!

[@BryanHectic]

Thank you; this saved my ass. Had a stuck lug nut on my jeep and used the hammer technique with my deep socket and got it off.

[@svmei]

Thanks, pretty helpful. Hopefully I can find those extractor sockets locally.

[@Volvo8Fifty4Life]

Love your videos! Thanks.

[@boraxsopanic2670]

Very good suggestions. Thank you. The tool you mentioned is good.

[@SHIMIAORI]

Thanks a lot for this video. I just have this kind question with my oil pan bolt. Will try your method. Thanks again

[@myRatchets]

Hey np, good luck with it.

[@bubbatennessee7531]

Thanksm your videos are alway very helpful.

[@JoseFlores-uw2tz]

Thank you. I learned something new today.

[@mxprimal1]

Awesome, much appreciated. Used a 3/8 socket to get a striped 10mm out!!!

[@Sroor2023]

Wow on my way to round one in time tight place but just remember that I have that set saved me 🎉❤ thank you

[@brandonfoy9583]

Thank you So much!!! You gave me hope after I stripped my hub bolt!

[@iamu2247]

Did you get it out

[@frankj.l.g.7922]

Great content overall 💯

[@wes1093]

Thank you so much exactly what I needed great video!!!!

[@chloeozenghar1450]

Damn this really helped thank you! I’ve been trying to take a bolt off for 1 hour rn 😂😂😂

[@aarongibson9665]

Simple but saved me on a battery replacement. Thx!

[@rocka207]

I have same problem,tried to change the transmission fluid and bolt has been stripped.i don't want to do what you did because I don't want to damage transmission.do you have any other option that I can do other than take car to mechanic...just curious

[@whithehearthro]

This helped!

[@PJ-jy7vb]

Hi. I'm Pam. Thank you for the Harbor Freight extractor socket technique!!! Bought some, worked like a charm!!😉

[@tomasvajna2272]

Great video this helped so much

[@midgebarker4022]

Went to change oil on my riding lawnmower and the oil drain nut head is stripped that I need to loosen to change the oil. Will a pipe wrench work? Before it was stripped, it was a 21 mm.

[@staff4837]

Thanks for the video... I have the same problem.. and I just got the set of those nuts removal but I wasn't sure if they would work... now I am more confident that will do it

[@jessikapiche6097]

sometime they do, sometime they don't. there is no garanty. if the nut is really stuck in, the turbo socket will round it even more and it will be an even bigger problem.

[@staff4837]

Thanks for the video again I used that socket set it worked perfectly just the weird part was once I had pulled out the treat looks perfectly fine I don't know what is the problem maybe the inside treat. Thanks a lot.👍👍👍

[@staff4837]

on the oil drain plug of my 2005 dodge caravan thanks for the video was so help full

[@7777srd]

You're a life saver. Thank you so much.

[@brandonallgrim511]

this worked for me these sockets are a lifesaver

[@tmark9019]

Great advice. Thanks!

[@sethpepper4750]

thanks for the tips

[@achrafelkouhen7126]

I have a stripped bold (ex T30 bolt lol) for the camshaft holder number 1 (near camshaft chain tensioner). What shout I use to remove it. It is really stuck in there!!

[@blackericdenice]

Great video, I have a video where I use a shocket like that to remove a GM caliper bolt.

[@nightcall7398]

So satisfying seeing removal of stripped bolts lol. Thanks brother!

[@jessivilleneuve7939]

Im changing my oil pan on a jeep cherokee. My last nut is stripped and i was out of ideas and desprate ! I see this video and see hope ! Ill head iver to canadian tire to get those strip socket thignies :) so helpfull thank you !

[@dreawhite7064]

Thank you for the Information

[@guruoflove3083]

What if behind the nut is a bolt that has a head with no groove for a screwdriver (rounded flat head) AND it is inset so it cannot be gripped? I am using a wrench to loosen the nut but the bolt spins as I try to loosen the nut... Thanks Very Much.

[@m3llomatt821]

Good tutorial but here a few tips. You put the vice grips on backwards. You want the short jaw to face the direction you are turning, 2. To remove the extractor, try leaving the ratchet on and grab the lugs with the vice grips and back it off.

[@iamjordanbeast2686]

This was a good video 💯💯

[@peterowens290]

This is a sensible (finally) approach in a typical difficult position. It simply amounts to use the correct tool before you do further damage. This type of socket might not be in everyone's toolbox but they area a low cost purchase & they should be there. My experience tells me that the use of vice grips almost never works & access is almost always the limiting factor.

[@frankd.brennan6520]

I always had some luck with liquid wrench and a pipe wrench ( small pipe wrench) depending on room to work. Worked really good on brake lines and bleeder. A hammer sometimes depends on what you're going to hit. To shock it. Don't do to wrenching anymore. Just putting in my 2 cents. Hopefully it helps someone

[@Basketofcups]

Me , thank you

[@michaelkulman7095]

People overlook the pipe wrench, but if there is room it can work with rounded fasteners. I guess they overlook it because it's not considered an automotive tool outside maybe using it on tie roads by some...

[@paulgriffin2310]

Good video. Thank you.

[@darrylm3627]

😄👍🏿Good Stuff,Great Tips

[@BarcelonaBlitzer]

Thank you sir!

[@christopherhayles2393]

This was helpful I solved the problem

[@LoganSewell83]

Will this work for loosening a 13 mm bolt on a Fiskars lawnmower?

[@Gamat_TV]

Much appreciated,socket trick worked

[@catchthewind8563]

I have stripped the castle nut on my ball joint. I can't use a socket. Any advice?

[@whiskerprince]

thanks for this!

[@rawmilkmike]

You definitely used that vice grips backwards. A vice grip's has a proper direction just like a channel-locks or an open end wrench. Just think about it, could you use a pipewrench backwards? At work I preferred a channel locks over a vice grips. And I was pretty good with it. 1:30 Thanks for the video. I had never heard of bolt extractor sockets.

[@Tal.10]

Great video ❤

[@ralphwhitaker8761]

What if the fitting is broken and the nut part is strip, what do you suggest? Thanks

[@SaucySoviet]

trying to change my oil right now, my plug just keep turning and turning when I use my socket because the end of the plug is stuck... pain in the ass..

[@JDM98Ferio]

Would this work for flywheel bolts?

[@JuanMorales-ks4ll]

what kind the flange bolt did you replace it

[@ttattx]

today in 2021 - I had this happen last weekend on a caliper bracket bolt -- so I found a set of GripTite sockets, but they weren't 20 dollars. I had to pay 40 - my how prices have changed... on teh bright side - it came off really easy with that socket... I'm keeping them!

[@samsungs2051]

awesome info. thanks boss

[@darrenwalters9886]

Thanks, very useful.

[@m.t.v.7934]

Same problem I am having, the more I tried different tools the more I stripped the damn bolt. Thanks for the tips. I have no room to work and I am working on a rear break caliper bracket and I have not yet been able to get it removed.