trouble removing old bolts please help

dr50376272 · 12-04-2010, 06:26 AM

i dont know if this is the right place to ask, but i have 37 year mazda rx4 bolts on my air conditioning and oil cooler, and i cant remove them. what do you guys do to unscrew old bolts that are stubborn and recalcitrant? (my website is www.kagoshimaenglish.com/rx4.htm for pictures of my car).

i also made a video here to explain my difficulties:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAY1RKTDJ-o

thanks for your help good people !

best regards,

david

N.RotaryTech · 12-04-2010, 07:25 AM

Try penetrating lubricants, "PB blaster", "WD-40", etc.
Also maybe heat the nut with a propane torch.

Looks like you'll need to redo the flare-nut piping too.

Good luck.

Pete_89T2 · 12-04-2010, 07:32 AM

Didn't have a chance to look at your video, but try PB Blaster - it's a penetrating lube (like WD40) that works wonders on rusty old bolts. Give it a generous shot of the stuff, and let it soak in - if these bolts are really corroded, give it LOTS of time to soak in (many hours). When you do try to loosen it, make sure you use the right tool for the job - you don't want to slip or round off an already corroded bolt head.

willnordacgreen1211 · 12-04-2010, 07:34 AM

here ya go!

dr50376272 · 12-04-2010, 07:49 AM

cant buy this stuff in japan. bolt isnt rusty, just wont budge. i can bench press 300lbs so even with my strength it wont budge !

Pete_89T2 · 12-04-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr50376272

cant buy this stuff in japan. bolt isnt rusty, just wont budge. i can bench press 300lbs so even with my strength it wont budge !

Sounds like it's seized. Is it a dissimilar metal situation? As in a steel bolt in an aluminum threaded hole? Regardless, let it soak in the penetrating oil a good long time as suggested, try again. Use the longest handled breaker bar you can get in there. If it still won't budge, try an air impact wrench, preferably one that can deliver several hundred lb-ft of torque. If that fails, you might have to drill the stud out, retap the hole and get new bolts.

N.RotaryTech · 12-04-2010, 01:40 PM

Those kind of stuck bolts really suck, cause its only held in there by the tubing.

All I can think of for now is, use said lubricants, also use a flare-nut wrench so it don't slip off, and maybe clamp some vice-grip pliers on the fitting to hold it in place while you wrench on the nut.

JustJeff · 12-05-2010, 04:24 AM

What I did with PB Blaster when I was pulling my motor was hit the problem bolts and let them soak for a couple days. I had time till the motor was coming out so I'd hit them once or twice a day for a couple days. When I finally got to pulling the motor the bolts came loose with no problems.

Not sure if that advice helps with seized bolts, but if you have time to wait then it certainly won't hurt anything.

12-04-2010, 06:26 AM	#1
dr50376272 Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 80 Rep Power: 15	trouble removing old bolts please help i dont know if this is the right place to ask, but i have 37 year mazda rx4 bolts on my air conditioning and oil cooler, and i cant remove them. what do you guys do to unscrew old bolts that are stubborn and recalcitrant? (my website is www.kagoshimaenglish.com/rx4.htm for pictures of my car). i also made a video here to explain my difficulties: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAY1RKTDJ-o thanks for your help good people ! best regards, david

12-04-2010, 07:25 AM	#2
N.RotaryTech Home-brew Rotary Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: GooseCreek SC Posts: 552 Rep Power: 18	Try penetrating lubricants, "PB blaster", "WD-40", etc. Also maybe heat the nut with a propane torch. Looks like you'll need to redo the flare-nut piping too. Good luck. __________________ '89 RX7 GTU, half-Bridge-port S4/S5 NA, E6K, Full RB exhaust, weekend warrior. '83 RX7, The "this might take awhile" project. '87 RX7 GXL, Rest In Pieces. '98 Subaru Impreza Outback-sport, rx7 rescue vehicle, down for repair. '94 Ford Ranger, daily.

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12-04-2010, 07:32 AM	#3
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD Posts: 874 Rep Power: 15	Didn't have a chance to look at your video, but try PB Blaster - it's a penetrating lube (like WD40) that works wonders on rusty old bolts. Give it a generous shot of the stuff, and let it soak in - if these bolts are really corroded, give it LOTS of time to soak in (many hours). When you do try to loosen it, make sure you use the right tool for the job - you don't want to slip or round off an already corroded bolt head.

12-04-2010, 07:49 AM	#5
dr50376272 Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 80 Rep Power: 15	cant buy this stuff in japan. bolt isnt rusty, just wont budge. i can bench press 300lbs so even with my strength it wont budge !

12-04-2010, 01:40 PM	#7
N.RotaryTech Home-brew Rotary Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: GooseCreek SC Posts: 552 Rep Power: 18	Those kind of stuck bolts really suck, cause its only held in there by the tubing. All I can think of for now is, use said lubricants, also use a flare-nut wrench so it don't slip off, and maybe clamp some vice-grip pliers on the fitting to hold it in place while you wrench on the nut.

12-05-2010, 04:24 AM	#8
JustJeff RCC Contributor Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 505 Rep Power: 18	What I did with PB Blaster when I was pulling my motor was hit the problem bolts and let them soak for a couple days. I had time till the motor was coming out so I'd hit them once or twice a day for a couple days. When I finally got to pulling the motor the bolts came loose with no problems. Not sure if that advice helps with seized bolts, but if you have time to wait then it certainly won't hurt anything.