vertex2100 wrote:To remove rusted bolts you can also heat with a torch first which really helps a lot. Use long pipe on wrench to get strong leverage and apply gentle steady force so not to round off nut (also use six sided socket)or break stud. Saw my dad(car mechanic) do this sucessfully often on rusted bolts.
Both of these can work, but a couple of caveats from another old mechanic (me!)...
If you need to use a torch to remove a nut, you *must* replace both the nut and the stud/bolt, since both have been distempered by the heat and will have a much higher chance of subsequent failure in service. This is particularly true of wheel studs, where failure can result in a very scary and dangerous situation.
As to the pipe-on-the-wrench trick or Stephen's trick of hitting the breaker bar, both of these can work... but please folks -
wear eye protection, as should anyone neven remotely close by. I have seen more than one wrench or socket snap when doing this, and the bits will go flying like bullets... particularly when using cheaper wrenches or sockets where the tempering/hardening is not as good as on top quality tools.
Also, when it does snap, you'll find yourself going flying as well, so
make sure you're not headed for something nasty when you set up for your pull.
Oh, and finally - when you're wrenching hard on something really tight,
*always* pull, never push... the latter is far too dangerous in terms of your balance and where your hands will end up (undoubtedly something hard and sharp!).
