How to unscrew a rusty nut. How to unscrew a stuck nut on a faucet Unscrew a nut that won’t come off

Most of the time the nuts become one piece with the attached bolt. They are so stuck in place that it is even difficult to rip them off. Rusty equipment can cause serious damage to any component. If they are not coated, they are at risk of rust and corrosion. There are some special conditions that increase the rate at which rust spreads, such as humid climates and too much moisture exposure. Not all types of rust can be detected immediately. They can harm the equipment and even cause it to malfunction. Rust and corrosion can cause the entire component to fail. Therefore, it is important to resolve quickly before damage is done.

Options for how to unscrew a rusty nut or bolt on a car.

Why is a rusty nut or bolt difficult to unscrew?

If components are exposed to humid weather or moisture for a long time, they will rust fairly quickly. One of the components that is most important is fasteners, present in automotive components. Moisture can cause fasteners to degrade, putting devices on the verge of failure. It is difficult to remove these stuck fasteners, especially if the metal head or threads are affected by rust. Rust makes it difficult to grasp the fastener with a screwdriver or wrench.

Which tool is better to use?

Removing rusty fasteners can be done in several ways. Here are the ones that are most commonly used and most effective.

Lubrication

If the assembly is stuck in place due to rust, then ideal solution will use WD-40 Penetrant Spray. If the rust has reached the threads, then no. the best way loosen it than using WD-40 penetrating spray. Apply it to the part and then tap it using a hammer. This will help the WD-40 penetrate and loosen the assembly so it can be easily removed.

cutting

If a part is so badly rusted that it cannot be removed, the only option left is to cut it out. This will make the component unusable, but will help you resolve the problem. You can use pliers to get a good grip on the head of the fastener and twist it firmly to release it from position. Another viable way to loosen rusty bolts and nuts on your car is to use a heating torch on low to moderate heat. The heat will allow the rusty parts to expand enough to loosen them. However, it is important to be very careful with this method. Many lubricants applied to stuck components are flammable and can ignite when exposed to flame.

Proven Rust Removal Methods

Although it is possible to get rid of the rusty nut and replace it with a new one, this option is not available in all cases. There are many old components and parts whose fastenings cannot be replaced with new ones. In such cases, you need to restore them using rust removal techniques, which is the most cost-effective way to keep your car running. Here are some general methods, used to remove rust.

Grinding

Once you are done removing the rust, you can rub it with steel wool or sandpaper to remove any remaining rust. This is an inexpensive and relatively simple method. This can be very time consuming and also requires lubrication to reuse the fastener.

Hydrogen peroxide

Applying hydrogen peroxide to fasteners and leaving it for a while will also remove rust. Hydrogen peroxide dissolves rust. Brushing with a stiff brush will help you get rid of rust. This is also an inexpensive method of treating rust, but it may leave residual stains.

Repainting

Coating nuts and screws with paint can also prevent them from rusting. Remove rust from fasteners before covering them with paint, which protects against moisture, the main cause of rust. Coating with wax or oil based can also help prevent the formation of rust on the car body and parts.

Rust converter

You can find a number of rust converters that can help get rid of rust. WD-40 Penetrating Spray not only helps loosen rusty and stuck nuts and bolts, but also reappearance rust in the future.

Safety precautions

Compliance with safety regulations is the key successful work. Follow the recommendations of experts to secure and simplify the process:

  • All tools and equipment must be in good working order and without damage.
  • You need to remove the nut counterclockwise.
  • Immediately before you apply any force to remove a bolt or nut, make sure that the tool or equipment is securely secured and will not injure you.
  • Use special household gloves to avoid injury.

Ways to unscrew rusty parts at home

In most cases, you can remove a rusted bolt by unscrewing the nut with a wrench or chisel. However, if it is rusted or stuck, you will need to find another way to remove it. If the hex surfaces are not smooth, try heating the bolt with a propane torch to loosen it. In some cases, truly stuck components cannot be removed and must be cut off instead. Buy everything necessary materials You can find it at a large hardware store or home improvement supermarket.

Method 1: Loosen the bolt using a wrench or pliers

  1. Spray penetrating oil under the bolt head and around the nut. Penetrating oils like WD-40 will seep under the base and help lubricate the bolt threads and remove the rusted nut. This will make it easier to loosen and will be especially useful if the bolt is rusted. Give the oil at least 20 minutes to absorb. You can purchase penetrating oil at any hardware store. You can also find it in a large supermarket.
  2. Slide the hollow piece of metal onto the handle of the socket wrench. Use a piece of metal at least half a meter long. This will effectively extend your wrench this length and give you more force when you try to unscrew rusty bolt. You can find hollow metal rods in big box stores. household appliances or household goods. Look for a rod with a hollow internal diameter of at least 19mm. If you want, take your socket wrench with you to the hardware store to make sure the handle will fit into the metal strip you choose. Please be aware that using a hollow rod to increase leverage may result in damage or breakage.
  3. Try removing the stuck bolt using an extended wrench. Hook the end of the socket wrench onto the head of the mount and hold the wrench at the very end of the extension rod. With your other hand, grab the nut with large pliers. Pull the end of the wrench sharply to try to loosen the stuck bolt. Ideally, a penetrating spray will break down the resistance and allow the rusty nut to be removed. If it's too awkward to hold a wrench and pliers at the same time, ask a friend or family member to help you.
  4. Use pliers to secure. If the sharp hex sides of a jammed bolt have been smoothed and rounded, the socket wrench will slip out when you try to loosen the assembly. The fixation pliers have teeth on inside rounded jaws and can be firmly secured to flat, serrated surfaces. You should be able to fit the hollow piece of metal onto the end of the pliers just like any other wrench.

Method 2: Heating the bolt

  1. Heat the fastener with a propane torch if it still does not give way. If the fastener doesn't budge when you try to remove it with an extended wrench, it's time to try using heat. Turn on the propane torch and keep the flame at a distance of about 15 mm. from the surface. Keep the flame on for about 15 seconds. The heat from the propane torch should cause the part to expand.
  2. Apply the flame from a propane torch to the nut for 15 seconds. Once you apply the flame to the assembly and it begins to expand, switch and heat the nut for 15 seconds. Alternate heating the components for about 2 minutes. The end of the bolt that you don't apply flame to shrinks, and the end that you heat expands. This will change general shape node. Ideally, the expansion and contraction will break down any corrosion holding it in place.
  3. Loosen with an extended wrench. Insert the end of your socket wrench into the hollow metal rod. Put on a wrench and grab the nut with two large pliers. Hold the nut in place and pull the end of the wrench. Give 4-5 sharp jerks and see if the mount moves. If the bolt is still loose, heat it with a propane torch for another 10 minutes or move on to another method.

Method 3: Removing the rusty bolt

  1. Remove as much rust as possible using a wire brush. Take a stiff bristle wire brush and aggressively scrub away any rust from the mount. It is almost impossible to remove fasteners that are completely rusted, so scrub for 4-5 minutes until almost all of the rust is removed. Large hardware stores may sell wire brushes specifically designed for removing rust.
  2. Once most of the rust has been removed, fill both ends with liquid thread loosener. Let the liquid soak into the metal for about 30 minutes. Effective brands of lubricants that penetrate rust are Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster and Royal Purple Maxfilm. Don't use WD-40 for this. Although it is an effective lubricant, it is not effective at penetrating layers of rust.
  3. Hit the base 6-12 times with a hammer. Once the rust-penetrating concentrate has loosened the fastener, hit it firmly with a hammer to dislodge the assembly from the position in which it is stuck. Hammering can also cause microcracks, making removal easier. Change the direction of the hammer blows so they hit more than one place. Tap all 6 sides of the stuck nut at least once.
  4. Unscrew the rusty fasteners using a long-handled socket wrench. A long-handled wrench will give you more leverage than a typical short-handled wrench. Hold the very end of the wrench and pull, applying constant, steady pressure and loosening. With sufficient force, the bolt on the machine should give in and come out. If you are not sure about the size, try 3-4 various sizes nests until you find the one that fits best.

Method 4. Destruction of a stuck bolt

  1. Buy a screw extractor that matches the size of your bolt. Find an extractor correct size, which can remove a bolt stuck on a car by measuring the diameter of its threaded part. Find a screw extractor that is about 0.3 cm narrower. If you have measurements, the sales staff can help you find the right size extractor.
  2. Drill out the stuck bolt shank using a screw extractor. The screw extractor is long, thin piece threaded metal that screws into a regular electric drill. Place the draw point in the center of the bolt and slowly pull the trigger of the drill. Slide the screw extractor down through the base of the mount and let it remove the bolt from the inside. Although this will destroy the bolt, it will be much easier to remove.
  3. If the screw extractor does not remove the stuck bolt itself, use a wrench to remove the bolt. Place the end of the socket wrench over the head of the drilled bolt and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the bolt. If the screw extractor has destroyed the bolt and pieces of the bolt remain inside the material through which it was screwed, you may need to hit the bolt head and nut several times with a hammer to remove them.
  4. If the screw extractor cannot remove the screw, or if the screw is too rusty for the extractor to penetrate, the only option is to cut the bolt away from whatever it is attached to. Insert the hacksaw blade into the reciprocating saw and press the blade against the shaft of the stuck bolt. Turn on the saw and cut through the bolt and shaft. When cutting through a stuck bolt, keep your fingers and hands away from the blade.

Removing rust from nuts and bolts and loosening threads is a difficult task. If you're looking for the best lubricant to make the job easier, then nothing beats WD-40 penetration spray. All you have to do is spray it on rusty and stripped nuts and bolts. There are also rust converters on the market from other popular manufacturers. If you don’t have WD-40 at hand, use the available tools that every motorist has in his garage. And first of all it is gasoline, kerosene, turpentine and others. The procedure is standard - the area around the fastener is cleaned and filled with kerosene, diesel fuel, or gasoline. After 10-15 minutes, when the liquid penetrates deep into the thread, you can try to twist the bolt or nut.

“Solvents” such as vinegar, Coca Cola, an alcohol solution of iodine, or even brake fluid are also suitable for this purpose. The instructions for all products are the same - apply the product to the rusted bolt or nut, wait 15-30 minutes, and then try to tear it off. WD-40 Penetrant is a fast-acting, powerful, fast-penetrating spray that goes into hard-to-reach areas and loosens stuck and jammed fasteners. It also helps loosen rusty moving parts and is water resistant. This keeps moisture out, keeping your nuts and bolts safe from future rust and corrosion.

How to safely unscrew a rusted bolt and nut on a car

Invention of the nut? fastener with a threaded hole? Since ancient times it has been attributed to Archimedes himself. The first products were made of wood, apparently for this reason great thinker did not leave an answer to the question of how to unscrew a nut covered with rust.

How to unscrew a nut covered with rust

If you are faced with the problem of a rusted nut, first try unscrewing it with an open-end spanner rather than a hex wrench. In this case, you should not use all the force, because there is a possibility of damage to the thread and the part itself. A nut and bolt damaged by the oxidation process increase in size, so unscrew the part by hand without using any additional tools impossible. Next, you can go to the nearest service center, where you will have to pay a certain amount, or you can deal with the problem yourself at home.

There are plenty of options for unscrewing a rusty nut this way. This is where special tools will come to your aid. which can be bought at the nearest car market, as well as improvised ones. The first in the popularity rating are the generally available ones - gasoline. oil. kerosene, brake fluid. The popular drink Coca-Cola, which contains phosphoric acid. The effect will be better if you manage to place the rusted part directly into a container with the above-mentioned products. If this is not possible, try to wet the rusted nut as thoroughly as possible so that the liquid gets onto the threads and inside the connection. Among liquids, WD-40 spray enjoys well-deserved fame.

WD-40 spray to wet a rusty nut

Do not try to immediately unscrew a part that is susceptible to corrosion, as you may cause damage by deforming it. Let the nut and bolt sit in the solution for several hours, preferably overnight if time permits. Tap around the perimeter with a hammer, and then start unscrewing. Do this gradually, try to loosen the nut. This method helps in most cases, but if your problem remains unresolved, you should turn to other methods.

Tip two. Heat and cool a rusty part

In order to increase the temperature of a rusted nut, you can use several methods at once. Firstly, if possible, set fire to the part itself, treated with one of the listed solutions. Secondly, apply a very hot soldering iron to the nut. As a result thermal effects When applied to a rusted part, the metal increases in size and expands.

Here again, there are two ways - either try to unscrew it immediately, or drop gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, oleic acid into the gap, and only then unscrew it with a key. In some cases, the reverse procedure - cooling - can also help. But it can hardly be called super-efficient due to the fact that the temperature difference between ice and metal is small.

This method is not as popular as the first two, and it is used last. The whole point is that from wax (you can also use plasticine) you need to mold a shape that resembles a “cup”, the sides of which will be a couple of millimeters higher than the level of the nut. You will need to pour into this cup sulfuric acid, previously diluted, and put a small piece of zinc there. Thus, we create a kind of galvanic element that can help unscrew a rusty nut.

A secret technique is to use a wax “cup”

Based on materials from the site: http://365cars.ru

Most owners of old cars have encountered this problem. It happens that threaded connection It simply becomes overgrown with rust and cleaning the threads and the end of the nut does not give any results. Don't despair if you have a similar problem. There is a solution. So what to do if there are no new super products at hand that are now offered by household and construction stores, but do you need to unscrew a rusty connection as soon as possible? There is a very simple way!

Take baking soda and acetic acid. Buy a disposable syringe at the pharmacy. You will also need a metal brush, pure water and a spanner. Agree, finding the above is not difficult? So, let's begin.

First, clean any rust from the end of the thread and the nut using a wire brush. Then carefully clean off all the rust so that the threads at the end of the connection are visible. Then draw vinegar into a syringe with a needle. Next, use a syringe to moisten the entire surface of the nut, as well as the visible part of the thread through which the nut will need to be twisted. After this, we wait about twenty minutes and wet the nut and thread again. Now we wait another two hours. This time will be enough for the vinegar to penetrate the rust and destroy it. After two hours, moisten the nut and thread with vinegar again and use a wrench to try to unscrew it a little. The main thing is not to confuse the direction of twisting the nut.

A blog about DIY repairs and construction. decoration, construction, renovation, apartments, house

The right thread must be unscrewed counterclockwise, the left thread clockwise.

If the nut gives way and begins to unscrew little by little, insert a syringe with vinegar into the resulting gap and moisten it generously with vinegar. Wait five minutes and you can continue to unwind the connection. Unwinding must be done by rocking the nut in one direction and the other. This will improve the lubrication of the rubbing surfaces and prevent the threads from breaking. After tightening the nut, you need to neutralize the effect of the acid.

Mix water and baking soda in a container and immerse all parts soaked in acid into it. Hissing indicates a reaction. Continue the procedure until the hissing stops completely. After this, wash all parts under running water and wipe dry. Then apply lubricant to all parts, this will be a kind of preservation until subsequent assembly. So in a simple way You can unscrew any rusted threaded connections, so this option can also be useful in everyday life.

How to unscrew a rusty nut?

If a rusty nut cannot be unscrewed, do not get excited and try to rip it off - there are many effective ways to unscrew it without wasting effort.
The main reason for jamming of rusted joints is metal corrosion. During the process of metal rusting, the products of its oxidative reaction, or, more simply put, rust, increase many times in volume, tightly gripping together the parts connected by the threaded connection.
The situation is further aggravated by the ingress of small particles of dust and dirt onto the threaded surfaces.
Tool selection
The success of unscrewing difficult-to-unscrew threaded connections largely depends on the tool used.

Do not try to unscrew a rusty nut using an open-end wrench. The weakness of the design of such a tool will lead to the fact that the jaws of the wrench will simply move apart and jump over the edge of the nut, and the short length of the tool will not allow the necessary force to be applied.
In such a situation, it is better to opt for ring wrenches or use a set of sockets with a knob - both the edges of the nut and your hands will be intact.
As for the integrity of the hands. To avoid injury, when unscrewing threaded connections in hard-to-reach places, applying force to the tool with your hand, you should avoid foreign objects in the direction of movement of the hand with the key or wrench.
Dissolving rust
If, despite the titanic efforts made, the nut still does not unscrew, you should not force the tool and exhaust yourself with exorbitant physical activity. It is enough to moisten the rusted thread with a liquid that can partially dissolve the rust and thereby reduce the friction forces.
The arsenal of such liquids is quite wide: from special rust converters and the well-known WD-40 to gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, turpentine and brake fluid. By the way, ordinary table vinegar and an alcohol solution of iodine from a car first aid kit. In extreme cases, even Coca-Cola containing phosphoric acid will do.
Having generously moistened the rusty connection and waited from 10 minutes to half an hour, you can pick up the tool and try to unscrew the stubborn nut. If even after this the thread does not give in, and time allows, it is advisable to wrap the threaded connection with a napkin soaked in one of the listed liquids and leave it for an hour or two.
Most of the nuts unscrew slowly after this procedure, especially if you work on them by working the tool back and forth, that is, rocking.
Instead of unscrewing - twisting
Original and very useful way, allowing you to destroy the rust layer by slightly tightening the nut instead of unscrewing.
After the nut moves at least a little in the direction of tightening, it, although tightly, will begin to turn out.
Tapping the edges
For this procedure you will need a small 100 gram hammer. Applying light blows with a hammer to the faces of the nut, you should alternately move from one face to another in a circle. Microcracks that appear during the tapping process will slowly but inevitably lead to deformation and destruction of rust.
The main thing is to avoid strong blows with a hammer, which can damage the edges of the nut, bend the bolt, or even destroy the part held together by them.
Heating
Using a heat source ( gas burner, blowtorch, lighter, match, candle, soldering iron, construction hair dryer or ordinary boiling water), it is necessary to heat the nut, being careful not to heat up the bolt or stud on which it sits.
When heated, the nut will expand and increase in volume, becoming several microns wider than the bolt, which will greatly facilitate the process of unscrewing it. In addition, due to uneven heating, the layer of rust on the threaded connection will collapse and lose its former strength.
Be extremely careful when working with open flames and heating devices!
Destruction
The method is undesirable, but in some cases it is sometimes the only one that can solve the problem of rusted threaded connections.
Armed with a hammer and a sharp chisel, you need to punch grooves on the edges of the stubborn nut. Uniform insertion of the chisel from all sides will lead to its deformation and increase in internal diameter, which will allow you to unscrew it from the thread without much effort.
In the end, the threaded connection can be destroyed by sawing the bolt with a grinder or a hacksaw, the nut can be knocked off by cutting the bolt with a sharp chisel, it can be sawed in half along the axis of the bolt, or you can also try to drill it out using an electric drill. In all these cases, the nut and bolt will be hopelessly damaged upon completion of the work.

How to unscrew a rusty bolt or nut on a car

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Pile foundation

The foundation is an integral part of most permanent buildings and structures. It takes on the load from elements of buildings and structures located above it.

How to unscrew a rusted bolt.

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Petr Ryzhkov

Auto mechanic, Moscow region

I constantly come across bolts whose quality causes their edges to break off. The tool is now also rare to find High Quality, because the problem often becomes doubly relevant. Help, how to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges?

How to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges?

Working with any mechanisms, as well as all kinds of construction and repair tricks, involves repeated tightening and unscrewing of various nuts, bolts and other similar stuff. It would seem that there is nothing complicated about it. However, quite often in the process of repairs, rebuilding and alterations, as with any repair of equipment, it turns out that some bolts or nuts have had their edges torn off for a long time, and it is now extremely difficult, if not completely impossible, to unscrew them using conventional methods. What to do in this case, how to unscrew a bolt or nut with torn edges?

Option one, the simplest

Instead of immediately reaching for the big guns, it's worth trying something a little more innocuous. You need to use a metal brush to clean the jammed connection, drop a little kerosene or diesel fuel and wait fifteen minutes (or even longer). If you are lucky, then with a spanner in your hands you will be able to unscrew a bolt or nut with torn edges. If not, well, there are other ways. You can try to simply tap the ill-fated object (but not too hard!).

Option two, brutal

How to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges? Perhaps the easiest way is to try to unscrew the affected objects with a gas wrench. It has a much more powerful clamp than other tools, so it can hold even perfectly smooth and round objects. True, success requires a place that is open and easily accessible. Otherwise, the dimensions of the wrench simply will not allow you to get close to the nut or bolt.

Option three, technologically advanced

In those equally frequent cases, when a gas wrench will not help, and the nut (or bolt) is large enough, on help will come Bulgarian. You just need to adapt and cut a few new edges, only slightly smaller in size than the bolt or the same nut. Four of these newly cut edges will be enough; there is no need to try and cut out all six. Well, after that the nut (and bolt) can be easily unscrewed with a socket or a spanner wrench (it is not recommended to touch an open-end wrench). You can also restore the edges using a file, although this, of course, takes more time.

Option four, folk

If the first two methods cannot help, you can take up a chisel and a folk instrument, a hammer. True, they are more useful for nuts (in the case of bolts, success is not guaranteed). With precise tangential blows, the damaged nut is cut from one side and then unscrewed in a counterclockwise direction. Usually this is how you get the fasteners off the ground.

Option five, with a pin

In principle, you can try drilling a small hole in the head and hammering a faceted pin bent into the letter “g” into it. And just pull the damaged bolt out.

Option six, with welding

How to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges? By means of ordinary welding. It is enough to weld a new nut (or rod) onto an already damaged head or a broken nut, and then unscrew it. This method is ideal for all small objects, small things, for example, broken screws on the lid of a computer, laptop, or mobile phone. But instead of welding, you need to use superglue.

Option seven, final

In that unfortunate case, when you have no luck and none of the above methods helped, and a damaged nut or bolt with broken edges has not budged, despite all the titanic efforts, there is only one way out. But these, alas, are extreme measures. So, you need to use a chisel and a hammer to break off the nut (by hitting the hammer several times hard on the one attached to to the right place chisel) cut into pieces, and only then proceed to disassemble the entire connection. True, after this you will have to replace not only the damaged nut, but also the bolt (if it was still intact). But the problem will be solved.

In this article we will tell you how to unscrew a stuck nut, a rusty nut, a nut with torn edges or a completely round one. Cases with non-standard nuts - plastic and large - are analyzed separately.

The material also describes the most suitable tool, incl. a special tool professionally used to work with fasteners.

The material is useful for those who intend to unscrew the fasteners of the engine crankshaft, hub, wheel, generator, exhaust manifold, variator and other components and assemblies of a car, motorcycle or other equipment.

How to unscrew a nut

As a rule, nuts are unscrewed with hand tools - spanners or open-end wrenches, heads using a wrench or ratchet. However, it often happens problematic situations.

How to unscrew a nut when the nut cannot be unscrewed with a regular tool using the usual application of force? In this situation, you should choose from the available tool the one that suits best:

  • thin short open-end wrenches, especially with a too loose (broken) jaw, are the worst option, which is better to abandon immediately in a situation with unscrewing rusty stuck nuts (open-end wrenches will lead to torn edges and further difficulties);
  • box wrenches with an extended handle are preferable to open-end wrenches, since they cover the perimeter of the nut more tightly;
  • A 6-point socket wrench or socket is preferred over the 12-point version;
  • Due to its simplicity and strength, a crank is preferable to a ratchet, because for the latter, the application of increased forces can lead to damage to the mechanism (this is especially true for ratchets with big amount teeth, each of which smaller in size and not so durable);
  • an air impact wrench will do a better job than a hand tool;
  • in combination with a long wrench or air impact wrench the best solution there will be a Super Lock head, in which the force is applied not to the corners (edges), but to the planes, which eliminates the licking of the nut edges;
  • A torque amplifier (multiplier) will help apply a force to a large stuck nut that is inaccessible using only the physical capabilities of a person.

Which way to unscrew the nut

In the vast majority of cases, the fastener has a right-hand thread direction: you need to unscrew the nut counterclockwise (we look at the nut from the side of the free threaded end of the bolt or stud through which you need to drive the nut).

Accordingly, unscrew the nut with a left-hand thread clockwise.

When deciding which way to unscrew the nut, just look carefully at the fasteners:

  • on the side you can see the inclination of the threads at a small angle - unscrew the nut in the direction in which the thread “rises”;
  • even if the threaded part is not visible, you can see the desired direction along the end of the nut at the point where the last turn of its internal thread exits.

How to unscrew a stuck nut

In order to unscrew a stuck nut, we recommend performing several preliminary preparatory operations:

  • clean the fasteners from rust and dirt with a wire brush;
  • tap the nut around with a hammer without damaging its edges and exposed threads.
When deciding how to unscrew a stuck nut, you need to take into account several possible ways, based on the actual condition and availability of fasteners for the tool, the composition and parameters of the existing tool, the feasibility of destroying the nut itself or the threaded part on which it is fixed.

Possible the following options unscrew the stuck nut:

  • apply heat to the nut (preferably until red and repeatedly);
  • apply a penetrating compound (WD-40, liquid wrench or their analogues) into the contact gap between the nut and the thread of the bolt (stud), wait the time required for the product to work (from 20 minutes or more depending on the condition of the fastener and the activity of the product);
  • increase the force impact on unscrewing by increasing the lever for applying forces through the use of an extended tool (or an extension attachment on a tool of normal length);
  • apply special device– torque amplifier (another name is torque amplifier, torque multiplier);
  • use a pipe wrench, holding the nut with it and applying force in the direction of unscrewing;
  • clamp the nut in a rigidly fixed vice and unscrew it, rotating the entire part or assembly, if possible;
  • clamp a small separate vice and try to unscrew the nut with it;
  • use a pneumatic impact wrench;
  • drill out the threaded rod on which the nut is stuck.

How to unscrew a broken nut

Damage to the edges (their breakdown) causes serious difficulties. There are several main solutions in this case:

  • use a Super Lock head (acts on planes, not on edges);
  • hold the torn nut in a pipe wrench (in a vice, clamp, pliers, etc.) and unscrew it;
  • drive a nut of appropriate size onto the top of the nut with licked edges bigger size, the internal diameter of which allows it to be pressed into place, for additional fixation drill a recess in the contact area of ​​the nuts, inserting a metal rod (a piece of drill and a piece of nail) there as a key to prevent rotation) and unscrew the fasteners, using a tool that is the size of the nut of a larger diameter with working edges;
  • put on a larger diameter nut, weld both nuts together semiautomatic welding machine(covering the thread of the stud or bolt with a tube with a suitable wall thickness), unscrew the large nut together with the welded small one.

How to unscrew a round nut

For round nuts, when the edges are cut and smoothed completely by the previous ones unsuccessful attempts, or the nut was originally made in this form, you can also use several approaches:

  • fit a standard hex nut of larger diameter into tension on it and drill a hole and a key that prevents rotation at the line of their contact and unscrew it using the large nut;
  • if the side surface is of sufficient height, use a special tool - a pin driver;
  • put a square washer of large thickness (comparable to the height of the nut) on the round nut, cut on one side and with the internal diameter of the washer exactly corresponding to the outer diameter of the round nut, clamp the nut with a pipe wrench or a vice, giving in to compression, the nut in the cut will select a gap until it tightly covers the surface round nut, unscrew the fastener.
In the latter method, the probability of selecting a washer from a stock is low, so it is easier to make it yourself from a suitable piece of metal.

How to unscrew a nut while heating it

Heating the nut is often an affordable, simple and effective method. When the metal is heated, the threaded surface of the nut expands, the corrosive bond is somewhat destroyed and the grip on the thread of the bolt or stud weakens.

For heating, you can use any suitable heat source: matches, wax candle, lighter, gas canister burner, blowtorch, gas cutter (carefully, at a sufficient distance so as not to melt the fasteners), etc.

If possible, it is better to heat the nut until red hot and unscrew it. If it doesn’t work the first time, then heating should be repeated several times. This may be especially true for nuts mounted on a special tool - a thread locker.

How to unscrew a nut with soaking

Loosening fasteners with soaking is a further development of the relatively quick (20 minutes or a little more) application of special penetrating compounds.

The threaded part of the nut, as a rule, is not very tall, so if there is sufficient time for a long immersion in a penetrating or chemically active composition against rust, it is an effective solution.

There are two main approaches:

  • generously moisten the rusty fastener in the thread area with an active agent, wrap the accessible threaded shank of a bolt or stud in the nut area with a rag soaked in this agent or place it on top of the end (if the shank does not protrude beyond the plane of the nut), cover it with cellophane or rubber and wrap it;
  • Immerse the fastener completely in the chemical.
Care should be taken to ensure that the penetration of the active composition occurs strictly vertically from top to bottom.

The following chemicals can be used:

  • penetrating compounds, in addition to the previously mentioned WD-40 and Liquid Key, kerosene, gasoline, carburetor cleaner, lock defroster and others can be used;
  • rust converter;
  • compounds that are chemically active against rust - table vinegar, iodine, alcohol, Coca-Cola, etc.

How to unscrew a large nut

For large nuts, 6 main methods can be effective:

  • use a special tool that is designed for repair and maintenance of agricultural machinery, tractors and special equipment - torque amplifier (other names - torque amplifier, torque multiplier);
  • use a wrench with a long handle or a socket with a long wrench that matches the size of the nut (if necessary, use a special extension or put a pipe of a suitable size on the rotating outer end;
  • in the absence of a suitable size key or head, cut a notch in a strong metal strip from one edge strictly according to the distance of the parallel edges of the nut, thereby creating an individual key for a large nut;
  • use a chisel and hammer to strike the edge of the nut in the direction of unscrewing;
  • Electrically weld a metal rod (optionally a corner, channel or other profile) to a large nut as a T-shaped or L-shaped handle, which you can use to unscrew it;
  • if the threaded end of the bolt or stud does not protrude beyond the outer surface of the nut, then you can drill 2 recesses in the large nut from this side, then drill 2 holes at the same distance in a strip of thick metal (angle or other profile), align the holes and insert into them metal rods, apply force to unscrew (the rods will act as shear keys, transmitting torque to the nut).
The last 2 methods can be combined: weld to the outer upper plane of a large nut metallic profile with a flat surface, additionally drill a couple of holes and insert dense metal rods that will work as shear keys when force is applied. This will significantly strengthen the welded joint.

When deciding how to unscrew a large nut, you must proceed from the need to maintain the integrity of the nut.

How to unscrew a plastic nut

Plastic nuts, as a rule, differ in the shape and size of their working surfaces from ordinary metal nuts. The flexibility of the material limits, although does not always exclude, the use of a tool that compresses on both sides (pipe wrench, vice, etc.) - it is necessary to cover as much of the perimeter as possible.

You can unscrew the plastic nut:

  • a special factory-made key, working surface which repeats the profile of the nut perimeter;
  • a self-made key;
  • a puller for automobile oil filters, which firmly surround the circumference with a steel tape or several metal legs (the stronger the applied force, the stronger the coverage);
  • press wooden blocks and two opposite sides against the protrusions of the plastic nut and simultaneously hit the two of them with hammers in the direction of unscrewing;
  • for a small diameter - with pliers with a wide opening;
  • pipe (gas) wrench.
If the standard key is lost, then it is easy to make a key with your own hands from a metal that is not very difficult to machine (steel or aluminum) or dense plastic. First, it’s wiser to make a template from cardboard, check the tightness of the fit on the plastic nut, and then transfer the outline to a suitable piece sheet material and cut according to the handle.

How to unscrew a nut in hard to reach place

To work with hard-to-reach fasteners, use a special tool:

  • wrench or ratchet with a short handle;
  • ratchet with a large number of teeth in the mechanism (gives a small angle of rotation, which is important in cramped conditions);
  • extensions to heads;
  • flexible drives for heads.
When deciding how to unscrew a nut in a hard-to-reach place, you must first find a suitable tool - purchase it or ask for a loan.

How to unscrew a nut with its destruction or damage

In the most hopeless cases, when everything available methods and the tools did not produce results, the fastening remains to be separated by destroying the fastener:

  • placing the chisel against the edges of the nut, hit it with a hammer in the direction of unscrewing;
  • cut off the fasteners using a power tool with a cutting wheel;
  • cut with a hand hacksaw;
  • destroy the nut by drilling numerous holes;
  • cut the nut with a chisel and hammer (easier after pre-drilling the holes);
  • use a tool specially created for this purpose - a nut;
  • put on a larger nut, weld both nuts together around the perimeter using a semi-automatic welding machine (covering the threaded part of the bolt or stud with a tube with sufficient wall thickness to prevent welding into one), unscrew the large nut with a wrench.

Conclusion

When deciding how to unscrew a nut, it is very wise to immediately use a suitable effective tool and execute preliminary preparation taking into account the condition of the fasteners. Unprepared use of brute force with an unsuitable tool can most likely lead to damage to the edges of the nut, breakage of the stud or tool.

Before unscrewing the nut, you should clean the threaded part of the stud or bolt, apply a penetrating compound and only then apply force. Taking into account the techniques described in this article, even the most difficult cases can result in a positive outcome if some additional time is spent on preparation.

Returning to this article when needed, you can find the necessary hint in the answer to the question of how to unscrew the nut of the engine crankshaft, hub, wheel, generator, exhaust manifold, variator and other components and assemblies.

Every person in his life has more than once encountered such a nuisance as rusted and stuck fasteners. This situation is known to everyone: motorcyclists, motorists, cyclists, mechanics and plumbers. The last one in particular.

It often happens that you just need to change the faucet in your apartment or house, but the nasty nut or bolt just doesn’t want to come out. In this situation, forceful methods will not help: the nut sits dead. And it’s not always possible to use excessive force on it. You can easily break something, break threads, cut off the edges of elements. In order not to spoil your nerves, and in such a situation this cannot be avoided, you need to know how to unscrew a rusty nut at home. There are several effective ways to do this.

Why and what to do?

Repairs can be seriously difficult; replacement of necessary spare parts will have to be postponed until later. Corrosion is to blame. And the reason for this is very, very banal. For example, during installation work at the manufacturer or during previous repair work, “professionals” in one area or another decided to ignore the processing of fasteners lubricant. Then liquid got under the threads. The water caused loosening processes on the surface of the bolt and nut. This loosening tightly linked the parts with a new connection at the molecular level. How to unscrew a rusty nut - a whole science, and the process of unscrewing can take a lot of time, effort and nerves.

Using aids

The first thing you need to try is various means, among the properties and characteristics of which are reduced friction and dissolution various contaminants. This substance can be absolutely any agent that has high penetrating ability. Modern market offers a wide variety of products that can make the process of unscrewing a rusted nut easier.

The most popular drug for these purposes is the legendary composition WD-40. This is truly a unique tool that allows you to solve not only this, but also many other problems. Before unscrewing the rusted nut, you need to thoroughly spray it with liquid from the can and wait a little.

But WD-40 is not the only option. The drug contains kerosene, which means that if the master also has kerosene or gasoline, then it may not be optimal choice, but still effective. In any case, the nut can be unscrewed.

Another one available improvised means- acetic acid. If any other mild acid is freely available, then you can use it. The same recommendations apply here - thoroughly moisten the joint.

In the worst case scenario, American technology will help. In the nearest supermarket you can buy 0.5 liters, or better yet, a whole liter of Coca-Cola. This miracle drink contains something that, although imperfect, will help solve this problem.

Before unscrewing the rusted nut, the joint is thoroughly moistened with any of these products. Then you can rest for about 20 minutes. This will be enough for the drug to demonstrate its penetrating abilities. While the liquid is penetrating, you should tap the culprit with a hammer. It is necessary to knock along the entire perimeter. The element should be torn off gradually, swinging the nut. If it doesn’t work, you should douse the connection with any of the drugs and wait even longer. If it doesn’t work out again, then you should look for another, more effective method, how to unscrew a rusty nut on a faucet or anywhere else.

Solving the problem by heating

If the nut stubbornly refuses to give in, then it is worth applying heat. It will not be a secret to anyone that any metal, if heated to certain temperatures, has the ability to expand. Therefore, you should definitely try warming up the nut well as one of the options. Then, while it is still warm, you need to try to pick it off. But everything should be done as quickly as possible, otherwise the bolt will heat up, and then there will be no work. But even if the connection warms up completely, this process will occur unevenly. The rust will deform and release the nut.

In order to sufficiently heat the fastener, you can use any available options. This could be a lighter, matches, boiling water. Powerful soldering irons are best suited. Before unscrewing a rusty nut, you should make sure reliable protection hands You should work carefully and extremely carefully. If there are wooden parts in the work area, do not heat the nut: this may damage the wood.

Spin

In addition to these two proposed methods, he also recommends not unscrewing, but tightening the part. Often in this way it is possible to move the layer of rust and swing the fastener, after which it can be easily unscrewed. This option can be combined with heating.

Tapping

In the process of tapping the edges, everything is unscrewed, even if the nut is very rusty. How to unscrew? Simply tap around the perimeter of the fastener. During impacts, microdeformations will occur. These deformations will destroy the rust layer. But here it is important not to make serious efforts. The impacts should not be strong, depending on the size of the connection. If you hit it hard, you can damage the edges, and then the nut will never come off.

Destruction and destruction

If no method brings you closer to solving the problem, all that remains is to destroy and destroy the connection. There are several options here too. The method is selected based on where the nut rusted. How to unscrew? Yes, just cut it with a grinder or just a hacksaw with a metal blade. But not everywhere it is possible to destroy the connection by cutting. For example, this will not be easy to do in a car wheel. On a bathroom faucet, you can damage the faucet itself.

If you no longer have any options on how to unscrew a rusty nut, on a wheel, for example, then you can try to drill out the bad thing using electric drill. Another effective way is to use a thin chisel and a hammer to make grooves on the edges of the product. It is necessary to deform the part very evenly on each side so that it can be easily unscrewed. Naturally, you will then have to screw in a new one instead.

Prevention

It is much easier to take care of bot information, so that later you don’t have to think about how to unscrew a rusty nut at home or in the garage. It is worth following the recommendations, tighten the part to a certain point, and always lubricate the connections.

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