How to Get a Stuck Nut off a Bolt
Bloody knuckles and bouts of cursing often are the only result when a nut won't release from a bolt. Sometimes a hand wrench and brute force just aren't up to the job. There are a few tricks that you can use to finesse a stuck nut off a screw that will save you time, energy and maybe a few bandages. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Tighten the nut. If it won't unscrew, try turning it the other way just to loosen it. Once you get it to budge in any direction, it won't take much more work to unscrew it.
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Bathe the nut in oil. Hardware stores sell lubricants specifically made to release stuck nuts. Use a wire brush on the nut to remove any rust before you apply the oil. The oil takes time to work its magic, so give it a day and reapply the oil periodically if you can afford to wait.
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Warm up the nut. The heat from a hair dryer, torch or even a cigarette lighter will expand the metal, sometimes enough to release the nut. Do not use flames near flammable objects.
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Slide a pipe over your wrench handle to make the handle longer. This could give you the extra leverage you need to break the nut's bond to the bolt.
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Hit the nut with a hammer. The impact sometimes breaks the seal between the nut and bolt.
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Cut the nut off with a hacksaw. This is a last resort, but sometimes ends up as the only option.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
