How to Loosen a Rusty Nut or Bolt

A nut or bolt that's frozen in place is bad enough, but three things are even worse: damaging the corners of a bolt or nut so they end up rounded and hard to turn, breaking off a bolt while attempting to free it, and smashing your knuckles. Here's how to get it unstuck safely.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Penetrating Oil
• Work Gloves
• Cold Chisel
• Open-ended Wrench Or Socket
• Propane Torch
• Rubber Or Wood Mallet

1. Heat the connection with a propane torch if you can do so without any risk of damage or fire. It helps draw penetrating oil into the threads (see step 2).

2. Apply a liberal amount of penetrating oil in and around the joint, then wait ... and wait ... and wait. It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours to loosen the joint.

3. Strike the head of the bolt or nut with a cold chisel to shock the connection.

4. Apply an open-ended wrench or socket of the proper size, and rap its handle sharply with a rubber or wood mallet.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear heavy work gloves and use heat, lubricant, shock and leverage rather than uncontrolled brute force.