Get a 3 lb short sledge on Amazon here → amzn.to/3xPjReW Here's a link to an appropriate chisel on Amazon → amzn.to/3QgWKQR How to Remove a Stripped Bolt or Nut in a Tight Spot
This brings tears to my eyes haha. Recently i was taking off the rear exhaust manifold on my dad's V6 Altima and i did a great job all the way to the end when the very last bolt stripped. Hardened steel that's been heated and cooled like million times in a very tight spot, almost impossible to reach... Titanium drill bits would not even scratch it so i used a combination of WD40 (for cooling), cobalt bits with drill bit extension and a ton of pressure, cutting wheel and extra long chisel. -Cobalt bits had to be resharpened after 3 or 4 seconds of use -Cutting wheel would not reach the whole bolt, i could only damage like 1/4 of it -Chisel was 12" long but still too short so one person had to hold it from underneath while the other person was hitting it with a sledgehammer (big balls) We finally got it out after 4 hours =)
I remember learning this from my dad when I was a kid in his shop, one of the most useful tricks I ever learned. It works great on honda rotors with stripped JIS (look like phillps) heads. Just dig in a bit with a sharp center punch and then turn the punch a little and start turning it counterclockwise, vibration helps loosens the rust. Thanks for sharing great info, Brian! Keep it up!
Thank you for saving me from burning my truck to the ground, my turbo was held on by one nut for the last 6 hours and your video literally saved me. You are the man
Great idea; saved me a lot of aggravation. Thank you. I had a small bolt head in a confined space tried every trick to get it undone to no avail. This video gave me a new idea. I used a small punch instead of a chisel because the bolt had an 8mm head, too small for a chisel. It opened after a few strikes of the hammer. I was so happy. Thanks again man!
It's funny how easy it is to forget the old methods with so many newer ones, but the old tricks still have unique settings that they still prevail over new tech.
I had the exact thing happen on the fan nut just like you had and this video saved me when I had no idea how I was going to get the nut off. Best thing was this worked for me! This is why I subscribed and look forward to exploring your other videos.
Just wanted to say thank you for posting this video. I have been battling with a frozen bolt over the last three days and nothing had worked and only made matters worse and worse. After watching your video I took a chisel and hammer to the bolt and it was off in a matter or minutes!!! I'm so grateful for you sharing your wisdom on this topic - THANK YOU!
Everyone share this man's channel as much as possible he really deserves tons more subscribers and viewers it's ridiculous that 2 other channels were way more suggested by Google than this one. I'm not gunna put dirt on anyone's name but the sure as heck don't deserve more credit than this guy. Please people for the love of all things car... Like, Subscribe and SHARE.
Same situation here and never thought of that. Someone replaced the fan clutch on my car and did the same thing. I tried channel locks and vice grips but to no avail. My rides been sitting for almost a week, worst part is that I have those tools but did not think about the chisel. Thank you sir.
Good info, I have used the chisel and hammer technique on oil filter cans when they are frozen stuck. This is usually caused by a 'numbnut' that doesn't lubricate the gasket and then over tightens the filter!
Another option if you have room is to use a nut splitter, which has it's own chisel blade that is turned down onto the nut, splitting it in two. I hate it when guys put locktite onto nuts in difficult areas, like this.
Your technique worked for me. I used a flat head screw driver and a hammer to loosen a bolt holding the ground wire in place on the back of a dryer. I was changing the cord from a 4 prong to a 3 prong cord. Thanks so much!
I literally have the same model, and came across this video. Wow. So glad you made this man. I literally thought of the welding portion too, but would run into the same issue. Haha. Seriously super useful. Thank you.
Glad I found this video, I was trying to hammer on a 11mm open end wrench onto a stripped 12mm bolt. It was TIGHT. Then I found this video and it made my 2hour struggle with 2 stripped bolts into a 30 minute beat down 😂, I was pissed off at those bolts. I can always replace them. Thank you so much
You are a freaking life saver. I have two hours into getting the stud nut off of my 1999 CR250R when I came across your video. 10 minutes later it’s off. Now I can pull my cylinder off 👍
I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!! I am replacing a power steering line in an 05 Honda Pilot...someone stripped and tightened the nut, lucky me. After watching your video i was able to get the nut off. I used your basic idea, went to Home Depot, bought a 3' metal rod, filed/sanded down the end to a point and BOOM! After a couple of GOOD hits i saw it move.
Old time method for stuck bolts. Propane Andre canning wax or candle wax. Heat the bolt apply wax. It wicks around threads. Works high percentage of times.
estrelladelnorte1308 Yeah I used a vicegrip on my side mount battery terminal because it was seized and rounded and it just started mushing it to shit lol.
So many times I think "hey, i think the vice grips will help here" then i have countless flashbacks of myself stripping everything and cursing up a storm and all the time wasted... and I'm like... yeah this time will be different! -_-
As Troy said 6 point box end wrench, I use a 15 deg. offset and grind one side as you did and a real quick smack with the heel of the hand usually works.
A good tip for a stripped or ripped bolt is one of those "universal" sockets. They suck for real socket usage but because they conform to any shape they will hug any shaped bolt and crank it no problem.
Hi Brian in the flat rate days i used to hit them with an air chisel i used an old chisel bit which i cut down and sharpened always worked like a charm.
Thanks for the info. Tried everything to remove a circular saw blade bolt (left hand thread). Had it sooooooooo rounded even vise grips could not grab anymore. As a last ditch effort I looked here for ideas. Saw your video and figured it cannot hurt. Well it totally worked. Saved me having to take to shop and get nut welded on top of bolt. And minimum $50.
I drill mine with a small diameter drill bit, almost down to the stud. Then I use the chisel in the drill holes to tap it loose . Use this also on exhaust, rusted manifold nuts. This splits the nuts . If there is room, I use a nut splitter after drilling a couple holes into the nut. Nut splits very easy that way.
I'll try the hammer and chisel but is it ok if i'm doing it on a camshaft cap bolt? It's on the inside of my motorcycle engine. Really don't want to damage anything in there
Thank you, Thank you... was in the middle of a timing belt chain change on my sons car, when he stripped the head of a 10 mm bolt behind the fan blade clutch, just like your video. We used you chisel technique, it worked like a charm... Thank You, Thank You...
I have a 2005 Quest and its in my opinion a really great vehicle. Now , having said that....WTF were they thinking in the design process? I have to take out my fan shroud and drain my radiator...then yank it out too...all to replace the alt...Anyways ....Thanks sooo much for your video. I got stuck on a nut to the pulley assembly (that also needs to come off to get to the alt swivel bolt) And after several tools it stripped pretty good. saw your video...went to the local store and got a small chisel. Took awhile but it got the job done. Again thank you very much.
Brian, you should check out the review I did on the "Knipex Cobra Pliers". They will lock on a nut like that and remove it with no problem....WAY better than vise-grips or any other type of pliers. Cool idea with the chisel though....I learn something new everyday :) Thanks!
Well if you have time...check out the video I made...I removed a completely scaled/rounded off/rusted tie rod end nut that I thought I would have to cut off with a die grinder. It made a believer out of me.
+Real Tool Reviews I have a pair of these in the mini version, smaller than 5 inches. thought it would help me get the bottom bolt off my old mustang gt's 5.0 thermosat housing that was stripped/seized. didnt work. seems like these only have that locking 'effect' when tightening, or when in less cramped areas. it has been pretty hard to adjust in such a small space even with the smaller ones and now i am left wondering what to do. cant drill in to extract it because you cant get to it with a drill. tried knocking it loose, no help, penetrating lube no help. about to replace it with a whole new lower plenum lol.
+Michael Storm same thing happened to me haha. just in a saturn. took me 4 hours...-_- i ended up using a dremel and making a slot that i could tap like in this video.
Exact problem on my 1990 mercury topaz right now it will not come off but its been on for 31yrs the new ones aren't even made all metal like that anymore. Can't figure out which way 2 loosen it either 😆 😆
Brilliant! I am not needing this idea at the moment, but I'm glad I learned it, and saw it being demonstrated. Lubrication I'm sure would also help. Thanks!
Great video i had a striped nut on my intake manifold i was already ready to call a mechanic to see what kind of tools they used but this technic got it off in a minute thanks again on this tip
I love when videos from time ago tell me exactly what i need to do i got a rusted out screw on my block and i cant really get to it with much but ill deff be able to get a chisle in there
I have found an air hammer does work too.I had a rounded off bolt that was a Torx.The previous person rounded it off so bad a torx bit could not be used.Used a flat chisel on the air hammer and removed that bolt right out.
I’m having this problem right now and I’ve literally tried everything, even drilled a tiny hole in the bolt and stuck a steel pin in there and tried to hammer it out but it’s not working. This is the most stubborn bolt I’ve ever come across in my 43 years on this earth!!
After 7 hours of trying everything under the sun to remove this raggedy ass, stripped, piece of shit bolt, I came across your video. Thank you so much! Your video was my solution of hours of dead end trial and errors! Thanks again!
I have heard if a bolt is stuck on tight and stripped, heat the bolt, than hit it with a penetrating lubricant. The heat is supposed to suck in the penetrating lube. Not sure how well this works, just heard it through the grape vine and was wondering if you've ever actually tried it.
Thank god I found this. Replacing my shift solenoid on a 99 accord and the last bolt is STUCK. I've tried everything but my problem was I couldn't even fit a box end wrench down there! Open ended, vice grips, nothing would make it give. But now I can give this a try. Great vid!
It was my job as a kid to replace the muffler on the car (they used to rot out within a year or two). I used to do it with a hammer and cold chisel like this. Never broke a single stud.
My husband already tried this to remove 2 bolts from the water pump on a mazda 3 2011 and it did not work. Do you have more videos on how loosen a bolt in a tight spot?
If there's enough space, could you grind a slit in the middle to fit a flathead in there to remove? Or is that stupid? Having the same problem with a bolt on my rear caliper mounting bracket.
I have a stripped oil drain plug 15mm, I've tried extractor sockets, pipe wrench, locking pliers, a chisel tool. would this work with that. Btw I love your videos they're awesome.
I will be giving this method a go again in the near future on a pulley lock nut that is slightly rounded from a shop over tightening it. I have one concern though, would I be risking throwing off the axis of the pulley causing it to wobble?
I am trying to remove a rounded nut from a front suspension that’s machined on and has loctite. Been chiseling away for days trying to split the nut but no luck, any suggestions?
I have a stripped 14 mm bolt on a 98 Honda civic ex.it really is a tight spot. I was replacing the A/c belt. Removed lower motor mount, moved power steering pump out of the way in no time. I got to the idler pulley and I have been on this for 3 hours , I soaked it with WD 40 and PB Blaster. I have eventually rounded the damn bolt off . Any suggestions . I and my next door neighbor would appreciate it I am sure. I have thoroughly given him a complete list of every bad word known to man kind. I will have to go to church every Sunday for the next 6 months just to break even on all those bad words. It hasn't been this bad since the Falcons choked in the Super Bowl. LOL