11.02.2024
Got a bolt that's stuck? These tips from the professionals can help!
There’s nothing more annoying than a bolt that won’t get loose bringing the job to a halt. As understandable as the urge may be to use excessive force, don’t overdo it! A bolt that is stuck can rarely be removed using force. Quite the opposite: you might end up with an even bigger problem, such as a sheared or twisted bolt head. Fortunately, proven methods exist for loosening stubborn fasteners. We’ll share them with you here!
01.
Penetrating oil
- Get a penetrating or multi-oil. These oils usually have very low viscosity, which allows them to penetrate deep into the thread to reduce the friction between the bolt and the thread.
- Apply the oil as precisely as possible around the bolt head. Be sure to use the little straw provided for this purpose, rather than just spraying it over a large area.
- Wait for a sufficient amount of time, and repeat the procedure several times. It can take several hours for the oil to work out. In particularly stubborn cases we recommend letting it take effect overnight.
- Then try loosening the bolt again, being careful not to apply too much force.
02.
Ice spray
- This second method exploits the physical properties of metal, since metal shrinks when it is cooled.
- Spray an ice spray from a home improvement store (not to be confused with ice sprays for cooling sports injuries!) onto the bolt. This causes shock freezing that is well below the freezing point.
- The shock freezing breaks up the microstructure of any rust that may be present, and makes the bolt shrink due to the cold temperature.
- Additional tip: after icing, a multi-purpose oil or penetrating oil should be applied to provide additional lubrication. Some ice sprays already contain a lubricating component.
03.
Heat
- If you have a hot air gun or blowtorch to hand and the materials are heat-compatible, you can also try heating the bolt joint.
- The principle is the same as for icing – with the difference that the materials do not shrink when exposed to heat, but expand to different extents.
- Once the bolt joint has cooled off a little, try to carefully loosen it. If necessary, lubricate the joint with penetrating oil after it has cooled down to provide additional lubrication.
04.
Rust remover
- If it's obvious from the outside that heavy rust is the problem, it often helps to use a special rust removal product.
- Rust removers penetrate deep into the thread and break up the structure of the rust.
- Important: If your rust remover does not contain a lubricating or conditioning component, you should always lubricate with penetrating oil after every quarter to half turn to prevent damage to the thread from abrasive rust particles.
- Please be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying the rust remover!
05.
Bolt extractor and nut splitter
- If the bolt is twisted or the head is damaged, it's unlikely that the bolt can be removed without the aid of special tools.
- If a bolt is stuck in the thread and the screw head is damaged, a bolt extractor will help. This is done by drilling out the bolt and then driving the bolt extractor into the hole. It replaces the damaged profile or the damaged bolt head.
- If the edges of a bolt head or nut no longer provide a firm grip for a ring wrench or open-end wrench, a nut splitter can come in handy. It is placed around the bolt head, fixed in place, and then used as a force loading point for loosening the bolt head.
- Important: familiarize yourself with the exact use of these special tools beforehand and follow all of the manufacturer's safety instructions!
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