Tricks for removing stubborn or broken bolts | Hagerty DIY

[@beobe99]

Good job! In my experience - first, spend 20 minutes looking for your vice-grips - then - bang your knee on the corner of the table. As you're on the ground rubbing your knee have wife/girlfriend come in to ask if you're going to mow the lawn or not because it's about to rain for 20 days and nights. Find vice-grips in a box under the table labeled "not vice-grips". FINALLY, grab your torch that has just enough gas to heat it up halfway and break off the ear of the casting - go purchase a new casting that costs $1200.

[@garrettwight1027]

Dude, I really hope that was a creative writing exorcise and not based on a real life experience 😕

[@beobe99]

@@garrettwight1027 It was an exaggerated reality I think we can all agree with, at least parts of.

[@mobiledevto]

@@garrettwight1027 that is life.

[@game4alaughman]

Wow am not the only one 🤔

[@MadMax-cw3pn]

Or the wife interrupts with cheese toasties and finger foods

[@fixedguitar47]

Doing it ALL wrong. You swear and scream at it till it removes itself!

[@jamesmoore3346]

LOL

[@cameroncrane3770]

Doesn't quite work like people. You might have to roundhouse it.

[@robertlund5694]

You forgot step one! 1. Carry item to main street on Saturday afternoon then commence with your method (i.e. - step 2).

[@MrAlittle5150]

Don't forget to go to the liquer store and pickup some beer before you start.

[@JungleYT]

Gee, I thought that cursing would do it?

[@marvbush5592]

I was glad to hear you clean the threads out of the hole with a tap. As a Michigan tool and diemaker (Grand Rapids) I run into this all the time. You did a great job teaching this. As a seasoned T&D I know a good Technical Trainer when I hear them and you sir are one of them. Pay Attention to this man people.

[@pappabob29]

All good and thank you !! One additional "tip" that needs to be included on this subject is to suggest the use of "Anti-Seize" when using studs or bolts in aluminum.

[@Formulabruce]

I use "Copper" anti seize because regular Anti Seize IS Aluminum, and you want dis similar metals..

[@kevinapierce]

I use service removable loctite it stops the oxidation

[@fatcat4155]

I use that stuff on everything.

[@chrisstephens6673]

PTFE plumbers tape works well as anti stick.

[@greengeeker1]

He's 2 for 2 in 5 minutes and I'm like 2 for 50 lifetime.

[@Chevy-hw6lw]

That’s better than me , I’m about 2 for 150. Lol

[@BearBoris]

@@Chevy-hw6lw It's normal. His were easily accessible and you have a much better chance when the bolt is in aluminum cuz it expands more than steel and loosens itself. =)

[@danoelfke93]

@@Chevy-hw6lw me too lol

[@BassFace1776]

@@greengeeker1 That's cuz he's got it on the bench and not using harbor freight easy outs lol

[@tedhewitt4299]

Thanks for showing those methods Dave. I especially like the nut welded on.

[@kellyfull611]

Haven’t been to many welding shops that were more than happy to help me with anything ha. Better off finding a friend to help out

[@painmagnet1]

Kelly Full An automotive machine shop is the more likely choice to recommend. Welding shops aren't typically going to be skilled in this kind of procedure.

[@magicone9327]

100 + per shop hour charge they should be very happy.

[@alfredosantana622]

@@magicone9327 Welding shop guys who know their trade are expensive. They are happy as long as you meet their fees, ha.

[@wreckandraceify]

I'll add a couple things that have worked for me. Use a nut about 2 sizes bigger than the bolt or stud, it allows the weld to travel all way down the remaining threads and is less likely to break the nut off. 2nd tip for steel in steel, weld it, let it sit a minute, hit the bolt only with a shot of penetrating oil, then try a wrench on it. By spraying the hot bolt/nut it is cooled quickly and almost breaks the seized threads away from the tapped hole.

[@gtoger]

Another bit of useful tech from Davin! I'm a big fan of fixing with fire.

[@p1epoppa]

I had a seized exhaust flange stud and a guy heated it up with an oxy-acytelene torch and used a pipe wrench to back it out. The pipe wrench to me worked a little better than vise grips because it grips harder as pressure is applied.

[@andrewkiwi1]

I still have nightmares from removing a whole exhaust and set of exh studs from a 911 Porsche that had been on salted roads for 10 years. The nuts were rounded off from rust and most of the studs were so rusty they had no thread left on them except where the nuts were. This combined with car being on the lift made it an interesting job to say the least.

[@kurtismckemmie4850]

I'm so glad that I came across to your channel! I have two hex bolts that will not come out of my disc rotor. I stripped the head while trying other methods all at the same time. One thing I have no experience with is welding. I'm gonna try taking it to my welding shop.

[@mobiledevto]

Ahh c'mon Davin.. this was no challenge. How about a part not easily accessible, two steel rusted components that have been stuck together for 40 years. Oh and from a car that sees snow and salt.

[@ashqelon7267]

(O[][]O) , And spent half its life in the bottom of the lake!

[@Damien.D]

And is rare as hell with parts not available anymore.

[@yuzeyy7357]

Like muffler bolt/nut..

[@andycheatle1732]

Well not quite as bad as that but my Jeep XJ has been 20 years by the sea in Scotland ( Harsh snowy winters/salted roads ) - currently fighting broken rusty manifold studs - trying everything Aghhhhhhhh!

[@yuzeyy7357]

If u can, run the engine for 15/20 minutes, and then try to losen those bolts, when engine is hot..

[@johnfleury5430]

Ya good work! I place a flat washer under the nut before welding when possible thanks Take care be safe

[@ArcanePath360]

Sounds like a good idea. In his case I think the washer would have been a bad idea since he needed to get good contact from the nut to the bolt.

[@AshishKumar-om2fv]

Sir , Please make more videos of engine rebuilding time lapse..... Your videos all 6 to 7 are just incomparable...... They are just a piece of art..... Big fan of your time lapse vids..... Thank you 😀😀😀

[@brjr2009]

I was taught way way back to use a rich acetylene flame, and soot up the area where your going to heat. When the part is heated the soot will stay in place. When the soot disappears (burns off) the part is heated to just below the melting point of the aluminum.

[@stewartbruce8902]

Just the answer I was looking for. Trying to remove bolt from aluminun lawn mower engine. Thank you.

[@AlexxanderOnYoutube]

respect for this video! guys working with their hands and heads are worth of highest respect

[@shotforshot5983]

Another tip. Esp. If you only have a propane torch, you can use your household oven to preheat the piece. If it's 0 degrees in your shop, you might run out of propane before stud/bolt is freed from a beefy steel component! I do remove all sensors and seals if at all possible.

[@Idoitfortheskonkas]

DAMN!!! THE WELDING IDEA IS JUST JENIOUS ! Well done sir!

[@dholga1970]

Great way to approach that stuck screw by welding the nut. That gives me an idea to do the same in removing a seized chrome dust cap from a crankset on a road bike.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Welding the nut is a great idea! Thanks!

[@jmy6050]

Helpful to spray some penetrating oil into the base of the stud when its warm (not hot) to allow the oil to lubricate the alloy thread. Avoiding this will sometimes mean that the alloy thread picks up on the stud thread and you end up with a hole that's lost its thread.

[@SinnerSince1962]

Ahhh... so after I go to welding school, I can get that bolt loose! Thanks Hagerty!

[@abdulrahmanmounla1242]

Can you make a video for a deeply broken bolt or stud this would be very helpfull

[@raybod1775]

Heat until starts turning red, then shock by hosing water on the bolt. Do multiple times and eventually it will loosen.

[@stogie0608]

Ray Bod the video just said aluminum don’t turn red it bubbles and he Recomended not to over heat it. How would you get it out then?

[@Greaner762]

@@stogie0608 theres a video by ultimate handyman on this exact topic

[@kellerrobert80]

@@Greaner762 And Abom79 also did a great video on the same topic

[@carportchronicles1943]

This is the best thing I've seen all week! Thanks.

[@game4alaughman]

Mechanical porn

[@andrewkiwi1]

Also I found that if you let the nut and stud cool off for a minute the nut doesn't breakaway for the stud. Then there is also the fun you have when the stud is broken off below the surface and you don't hit the centre of the stud exactly with the mig to build up a little mountain to sit the nut on. The weld locks the stud to the side of the hole. JOY, JOY, HAPPY, HAPPY. Oh the joys of being a mechanic.

[@greglloyd7400]

Removal of the first bolt I agree with your process completely. The second bolt I have two issues. First one is that you never back turned the bolt to clean the threads. Second issue is an argumentative one on the usage of the combination wrench. After breaking the bolt loose most mechanics/engineers would use the open end for ease of wrench placement and speed of removal. But due to the failure of back turning the bolt resistance was not reduced.

[@namsinhrubi]

Thank you, it's very helpful for me. Hope you can make more videos like this. I'm a vietnamese mechanic

Thanks for this guys, got a snapped bolt on the cylinder of my bike holding the that holds the exhausts on, got to give this a go!

[@as3cs3]

now the oxy-acetylene one gives me hope. I spent a day with same trained on exhaust-studs of my Yamaha XJR1300 and they wouldn't budge. I think what I did wrong was heat the stud instead of the alloy. was worried about melting it. can believe how little heat you put on that one to loosen things up

[@firstgenerationgarage2803]

I did these two exactly procedure when I was doing my 1967 Firebird and installing the 455 in it the timing cover had two stuck bolts and one was broken short

[@cbmech2563]

I learned both of these when I was an apprentice operating engineers mechanic (1970)

[@cbmech2563]

The other part of the trick is to put a washer on it . It helps keep you from welding to the housing .

[@fatcat4155]

Easy peasy with the right tools and a little knowhow.

[@larslarsman]

Good, short, quick, effective. Thanks.

[@jacknjanesshowtell9499]

Nice idea about placing the larger nut over what was left of the broken bolt.

[@hirayaman246]

Knew these 2 methods from my old man.....just used welding 1 day ago to remove a broken bolt from aluminum mount....good video !

[@screwit8408]

Nice job! Next video maybe removing rusty control arm bushings? ;)

[@queenslander954]

Great Job mate , Soaking around the thread with brake fluid first helps , it’s is a great penetrating oil.

[@breadbaconcheese]

should mention that you are welding galvanised nut which is toxic when heated (can see the coating peeling off due to heat) an alternative is to use stainless steel nut or wire brush off the gal coating, or wear respirator with organic vapour rated filter great vid btw!

[@mercer982]

Yea yea,everybody knows that....

[@Tmrfe0962]

Thanks, like the weld the nut trick...pretty nifty.

[@honchoryanc]

So simple but never thought of it

[@hoonaticbloggs5402]

It rarely works. It works here because the aluminium around the bolt is thin.

[@frankd.brennan6520]

I use to have a little slim 4" pipe wrench. Worked really well on brake bleeding with some liquid wrench

[@hookahspot8973]

I have a Snap-on extracting kit part number is BEX13A and it amazing all you need is this and 3/8 ratchet

[@Formulabruce]

2 MORE PONTIAC Parts Saved ! Thanks for a great Video!!

[@stever5887]

Davin--From the title, I had the impression you would be removing the broken bolts using only normal hand tools. So, I still need to find someone with a welder to do this. Fun video, though; at least you removed the bolts with minimal fuss. It's always interesting to watch people perform work that know what they're doing.

[@commanderofthenorth3348]

Thank you , My l98 intake is off and both t stat bolts are broken , great video .

[@miltonjunior5173]

These are really life hacks. Cheers.

[@ov5502]

Looks so easy.. and yet I’ve been struggling for about a week now

[@mikehunt545]

I don't know why I watch this kind of stuff, but this is a pretty well made informative video.

[@danielalamo2075]

I seen a machinist trick of using paraffin (candle wax ) for dissimilar metals like aluminium housing and iron bolt. Paraffin doesn't burn off like penetrating oils do. It worked excellent for me. I used it 3 times, lawn mower, alternator bolt and the a tach mounting nut for our Ferguson to35. Just heat gently and rub on wax. Then work bolt back and forth until loose. Repeat as necessary.

[@bk-gc3lx]

I'm addicted to your vids! Awesome job :)

[@craigcaggiano431]

Very cool video to remove studs using a torch and Mig welder. For the broken stud I use a couple of drill bits to drill out the center of the stud and gradually enlarging the bit size, then used the vise grip to remove stud or an easy out tool.

[@AustrianAnarchy]

I call shenanigans! You used a Miller welder, not a Lincoln and it worked. LOL

[@Formulabruce]

Millermatics are Great welders !

[@AustrianAnarchy]

Dude! I even put LOL at the end, wa!

[@paulbeck6410]

I was replacing head gaskets in my car. A bolt broke off in aluminum. The guy who was helping me said we can fight that for a couple of hours and then you can take it to a professional or take it to the professional and get other work done. The machine shop got it out for a few bucks and was glad I hadn't screwed it up trying.

[@gentlerowdy]

had a morris minor engine the bastard never came off despite using all extractors & coaxing it with all anti rust- had an extractor broken until he was grinded on a pillar drill - studs coming with vice grip with these techniques are really modest !!!!

[@MadMax-cw3pn]

I'm about to tackle a molested outboard leg with two snapped stainless steel bolts level with the casing. Heat is really the only way as part of the process and hardware stores sell gas blow torches that are more than enough to do the job. Good video cheers 👍

[@diggumdetecting3369]

Welding the nut to the stuff remnant is brilliant! I've welded bolts on, with mixed results, so that i had a good hex to grab. Why didn't i think of a nut?! Thank you for sharing this.

[@ericruiz2174]

Understood and saved for future reference! Thanks!

[@lynnhoskins5286]

great video davin they keep getting better and better man cheers

[@Beevreeter]

Why was that just so satisfying ?

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

Very useful video. Keep up the good work. Thanks

[@dirtfarmer3891]

An even easier method is to quench it with cold water immediately after heating. The temperature drop shocks the rust into a powder. Keeping the threads wet liquifies the rust and it is almost like a lubricant. If anyone will try the “Heat and Quench” method, you will be surprised how often a pair of pliers will free things up. In this video, Hagerty is struggling with a wrench and I could hear the squeak of threads being galled. Yep, he will have to run a tap!

[@손정민-j3f]

Outstanding job

[@mitchyork527]

Good video I knew about the heat but I did not think about welding a nut

[@ashqelon7267]

Best tool in the chest, Bluetip wtench!

[@kashmir1504]

Wow! Thks so much for the tip. It's more than informative it's a lesson for the less technically inclined

[@itchirayn2388]

Great demo. Thanks

[@SvartaGolfen]

Thanks for the very useful tips

[@garywood9525]

If you use a gas welding method to heat the part but also want to cut metal parts while you rented the equipment....be careful for the flashbacks and backfires. When the part starts to spark you should have some type of smock of body cover because a piece of that molten metal can land on you. Or......one just might go into the Noozle hole and put the flame out which is dangerous as a Backfire because the fire in now inside the torch handle and can melt that brass or travel up the hose to the tank of acetilene . You might hear a Pop where the flames goes out....but if you hear a high pitch whistle you need to turn off the gas first so the oxygen blows it out . If the tip of the Noozle doesn't have a nice cone shaped flame inside the regular flame , the copper Noozle can be removed and file flush while there is another internal file that is like a paper clip size rod to clean the hole for a perfect opening .

[@foryourheartonly]

Wow did that 40yrs ago ,learn something new again

[@brianiron1]

sometimes on smaller bolts that are hard to weld inside the nut I just weld a washer to the stud then weld the nut to the washer

[@jjjsmith2497]

Outstanding!...Thank you very much.

[@AshishKumar-om2fv]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge....even though looks quite easy, I have come across broken and rusted bolts a no of times..... Thanks for sharing.

[@АндрейРыжков-т4е]

Good job. Good luck. Thanks for your video lessons

[@willyjilly9684]

I like this and will definitely try it when I buy a oxy, acetylene rig next week. Never could get mapp hot enough without killing the part before. Couldn't even finish the procedure at hand before causing some issue with the part.. I've been using Kano Kroil or aero Kroil. It really is a great product to try for frozen parts. I stopped using PB blaster altogether, and other off the shelf catalyst removers as they don't work near as fast and effective. Unfortunately It will literally damage the metal over time so get it off quick when you use it! Thanks for great post, love this video!!

[@zackhenry1151]

Thank you much Davin I'm a big fan of you budd and I follow your amazing videos with your amazing work always... keep up the great contents my friend

[@calizess]

1) On the 2nd stud I would cut a groove and use a big screwdriver instead of welding. 2) Here in Australia a weld shop will give you a 3 page invoice for that weld, that includes the power, consumables, equipment depreciation and of course the welder's labour quoted as a Nobel Prize winner brain surgeon.

[@Rudderify]

calizess that’s what happens when a socialist govt is elected...sorry to say that.

[@doctorboy5892]

Just need a cheap stick welder from Supercheap Auto mate. Use the 2mm sticks.

[@halucinator1]

Thank you, I will try the torch method for a bolt broken partially into a bell housing I have issues with right now. Otherwise it will become drilled and extracted.

[@DavidAKTA]

Pontiac V8 timing covers. You're a lucky person if your water replacement doesn't require you to extract broken bolts. At least one or two usually break.

[@karlsgarage6477]

Nice👍🏼I used this when I built my gokart on my channel

[@_BAD_MERC_]

Also, make sure you are using a torch on aluminum and NOT magnesium.

[@GenesisRC]

What parts would be made of magnesium?

[@magicone9327]

Chainsaws use magnesium. Made the torch mistake when I was 12, learned a valuable lesson

[@13bravoredleg18]

Genesis RC & FPV Volkswagen Beetle engine case is magnesium.

[@ruycarloskastalski2071]

Good job

[@jwszewczyk]

I like to Tig weld the studs and build an area for vice grips or nut. This also allows you to actually heat soak the part as you weld, unlike Mig. Mig is a faster process but you are very limited on heat input, and in this case heat input is your friend. Some wax and oil also don't hurt either.

[@CTmoog]

Great video!

[@H.samx1]

I wish i saw your channel early. Thanks for the video

[@Jimo225]

just went throught this on a 6.0. diesel salt truck. Bolt that holds heater hose to water pump broke off flush with aluminum cover. So I had to drill it and use easy out whilt still on engine. easy out wasn't going to work without snapping so I had to heat with torch while simultaneously working the easy out. being carefull not to melt the aluminum or else I would have added another day of work removing and replacing more stuff. luckily I got it out without hurting anything. I am a master at removing broken and rusty bolts'n'stuff

[@Mike_In_Idaho]

Excellent tips, thanks for sharing!

[@chasemanhattan220]

If its protruding file the bolt as flat as possible. Then use a fine edge, file a nook in it until you can fit a flathead. Saves me every time

[@mrwonderful2142]

This will help with my Federal Signal Thunderbolt air raid siren restoration 👍

[@nrmdm]

Drip Mouse Milk on it, let it sit for a few minutes and work it back and forth. That's what I do. If it doesn't work, then just throw your wrench at it and call it a day. Honestly, I thought this was gonna be a video on extracting broken bolts via drill and extractor tool, but that's okay. It's cool to see everyone's different techniques. Mouse Milk is pretty handy if you need to get one out.

[@michaelvinet9661]

Anything is easy while doing it on a table and. Having torches but thanks. It helped

[@galaxyportablecabins2044]

Usefull video .... Thanks

[@mrvanhorn07]

Thanks, Bud. I used my trusty bic lighter, LOL.

[@MotorScotti]

Thanks for this short and useful clip!

[@hoonaticbloggs5402]

I’ve never had success with the welding on a nut. The heat and then the reverse spiral extractors work good. The most difficult is motorcycle exhaust studs. My tip for them is run the engine till it’s hot , then try to undo

[@youngcharlie5199]

Well done .

[@johnnyutah565]

I’m part time mechanic thanks for lesson

[@kwbalance108]

Two ways I can't use while working on my car in the street, but wonderful to see it anyway.

[@chrisstephens6673]

If you want to avoid that thick black smoke and floating "tadpoles" on lighting your torch, set the correct gas pressure for your jet size and fully open the acetylene valve and then light.

[@Lilmiket1000]

god you make it look so easy lol. I have this issue with a large trailer hitch bolt but mine still have the heads. they are just stripped. Ive been to nearly every shop in town and everyone just keeps saying they cant do anything about it. Id do it myself but I dont have the right tools. and sooner or later trying to use the wrong tools is gonna make the problem much worse. Ive even been to trailer hitch shops that install them. still the same issue. once they see the heads are stripped they say they cant help. the funny thing is that im willing to pay what ever they ask.

[@mauserk98bnz44]

Awesome and those look like Pontiac timing covers I’m working on a Trans Am has one like it.

[@I.Gave.Up.]

Wooooooo I'm more impressed that someone has the same first name as me.