How to remove a broken bolt. How to unscrew a bolt with broken edges

How to unscrew a bolt? An article about effective methods with an overview of the best and non-standard tools.

In this material we will look at how to unscrew a torn bolt (with torn edges), a rusted bolt, a crankshaft pulley bolt, a wheel, an exhaust manifold, a cylinder head and other components and assemblies.

How to unscrew a bolt

Bolts are usually unscrewed using spanners or open-end wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets using a wrench, ratchet or pneumatic impact wrench. However, other options are also possible.

Before unscrewing the bolt, from the available tool you need to choose 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 immediately abandon in a situation with unscrewing rusty stuck bolts (this will lead to torn edges);
• ring wrenches are preferable to open-end wrenches, since they cover the perimeter of the bolt head more tightly;
• A 6-point socket wrench or socket is preferable to their 12-point versions because hex ones have large area pressure on the flat working surfaces of the head and are less likely to tear off the edges;
• a tool with an extended handle or additional attachment is preferable to a short one;
• Due to its simplicity and strength, a crank is preferable to a ratchet, because For latest app 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 is better than a hand tool;
• in combination with a 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 edges of the bolt head;
• a torque amplifier (multiplier) will help apply a force to a large stuck bolt that exceeds human physical capabilities;
• a screwdriver with a large handle of a typical shape or a T-shaped power one will do a better job than traditional compact versions;
• a suitable clamping tool (pipe (“gas”), wrench, clamp, vice, pliers, etc.) will be useful in the absence of keys or when the edges are licked;
• If the head height is sufficient, in rare cases a pin driver of the appropriate size can be used.

Further, when describing the methods, we will show how to unscrew a bolt from an atypical tool.

It is worth purchasing a durable Super Lock socket for wheel bolts and carrying it with you in the car at all times, since wheel fasteners often get damaged during seasonal tire changes and can cause serious difficulties for the car owner on the road in the event of a puncture.

Which way to unscrew the bolt?

Most often, bolts with right-hand threads are used: they need to be unscrewed counterclockwise (look at the bolt from the head side). Unscrew the bolt with left-hand thread clockwise.

When deciding which way to unscrew the bolt, just look at it carefully:

• on the side you can see the inclination of the bolt threads at a small angle - unscrew the bolt in the direction in which the thread “rises”;
• even if the threaded thread is not visible, you can determine the direction from the end of the nut (or the through threaded channel in which the bolt sits) at the point where the last turn of its internal thread exits.

With absence visible signs, when only the cap tightly pressed to the surface of the part is visible, it is better to start unscrewing counterclockwise; if there is no result, then try counterclockwise.

How to unscrew a broken bolt

A bolt with torn edges can be unscrewed in several basic ways:
·

• use a Super Lock head, which acts on planes and not on edges;
• hold the torn bolt in a pipe wrench (in a vice, clamp, pliers, etc.) and unscrew it;
• make a cut in the head and unscrew it with a powerful screwdriver;
• combine the two previous methods, using both a clamping tool and a screwdriver, which will allow you to apply the force of two hands;
• grind the cap to a smaller size;
• use a special tool - an extractor (similar to a tap, the working part is conical, the thread direction is opposite to the thread of the stud): drill a hole in the center of the required diameter and depth, approximately 2/3 of the length of the working part of the extractor, insert the extractor and rotate with force until the bolt is unscrewed;
• drill a hole in the center of the cap no deeper than the height of the cap, drive a TORX nozzle (E-profile, or another similar one with longitudinal ribs) into it and unscrew it by the shank of the nozzle;
• drive a larger nut of suitable size onto the head of the bolt with licked edges, inner diameter which allows you to fit it in tension, for additional fixation, drill a recess in the contact area of ​​the nuts, insert a suitable metal rod there as a key to prevent rotation, unscrew the bolt using a tool that matches the size of the nut of a larger diameter;
• put on a larger diameter nut and weld it to the bolt head semiautomatic welding machine, unscrew the large nut along with the bolt welded to it.

As you can see, unscrewing a bolt with torn edges is not so difficult.

How to unscrew a broken bolt

Information on how to unscrew a broken bolt that does not have a head can be obtained from the article “How to unscrew a hairpin: 25 effective methods and techniques,” which is posted in the “Useful” section of the site.

How to unscrew a rusty bolt

It is easier to unscrew a rusty bolt if you have access to the threaded part. As a rule, such an opportunity exists from the side of the end on which the nut is screwed (the bolt passes through the parts being fastened), less often - from the side of the head, when it does not fit tightly to the surface being fastened. You must proceed as follows:
·

• accessible threads must be thoroughly cleaned of rust wire brush, remove contamination;
• Apply penetrating compound WD-40, “Liquid Wrench” and their analogues to the threads (so that the applied compound flows from top to bottom into the thread sticking zone rusty bolt), let the composition work for 20 minutes, unless a different time is specified by the manufacturer of the product;
• using the available tool, apply force in the direction of unscrewing;
• if the bolt does not give in, then use the walking method, alternately applying force to both tightening and tightening;
• if these actions do not lead to a positive result, then apply soaking in a penetrating or chemically active preparation against rust for a long time.

How to unscrew a bolt with soaking

The essence of the method is to expose the rusty threaded part of the bolt to a penetrating or chemically active composition against rust for a sufficiently long time.

Basic methods:

• generously moisten the rusty fasteners in the thread area with the active agent, wrap the accessible threaded shank of the bolt with a rag soaked in this agent or place it on top (so that the chemical flows down the thread from top to bottom), close tightly to prevent drying, if necessary, adding fresh agent every few hours;
• Immerse the fasteners completely in the chemical, using a large volume of it in a suitable container.

The following can be used as a means for soaking rusty fasteners:

• special penetrating compounds WD-40, “Liquid Key” and analogues;
• kerosene, gasoline, carburetor cleaner, lock defroster, brake fluid and others, from garage stock;
• rust converter;
• compounds that are chemically active against rust - table vinegar, iodine, Coca-Cola, etc.

How to unscrew a stuck bolt

Before unscrewing a stuck bolt, you need to perform preparatory steps that can make things easier:

• hit the head with a hammer along the axis of the bolt;
• apply rocking tapping with a hammer on the lateral working planes around the circumference of the bolt head;
• if possible, heat the fastened part in the area of ​​the threaded channel and try to unscrew it while it’s hot (if it doesn’t help the first time, then repeat the heating several times).

In the latter case, for heating you can use matches, a wax candle, a lighter, a gas canister burner, blowtorch or a gas cutter (the latter extremely carefully, at a sufficient distance so as not to damage the part).

You can unscrew a bolt that does not want to unscrew, if it is stuck, by using penetrating lubricant in combination with other methods of increasing force.

How to unscrew a bolt without a screwdriver

If the bolt head is suitable for a screwdriver, but you don’t have one at hand, then the following options are possible:

• clamp the bolt head in a vice, pliers, clamping pliers or other similar tool or a bit from the available set;
• if there is no Phillips or other shaped bit, then use the method of cutting the head for a flat screwdriver or turning the head on a turnkey basis (grind the opposite sides of the head with a file, burr or grinder until parallel planes of sufficient area are formed);
• if you don’t have a flat-head screwdriver or a bit, use any suitable or specially turned to size object made of hardened steel - clamped in the tool listed above, it will act as a screwdriver blade;
• with a massive bolt head, you can use methods with fastening by welding or on the key of a large nut, or by another suitable method described above.

How and with what to unscrew an asterisk or hex bolt without a key

Often an asterisk or hex bolt has round shape heads. How and with what to unscrew a bolt without a key? You can consider any of suitable ways, which were indicated above, for unscrewing bolts with torn edges.

How to unscrew a hard-to-reach bolt

Before unscrewing a hard-to-reach bolt, you need to prepare 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;
• cardans;
• flexible drives for heads.

If you plan to regularly work with hard-to-reach fasteners, then it is better to buy the listed tool, as part of a set or individually for actual tasks. For a one-time use, you can ask for what you need for a while.

Conclusion

Before unscrewing the bolt, it is necessary to clean the threaded part from rust and contaminants, apply a penetrating or chemically active composition against rust, and select from the available tools what will suit best way and only then make efforts.

Using excessive force and using the wrong tool will most likely result in damage to the bolt head or broken bolt or tool.

When considering how to unscrew a bolt, immediately choose the most effective and reliable solution available.

Soured bolts and rusted nuts, tightly stuck to it, cause a lot of problems for car owners and service station employees, builders and workers in other areas where such connections are used. You can try a lot of ways, but still not unscrew the hardware. The last option seems to be an angle grinder, but it doesn’t always save you, as it creates other problems.

Car enthusiasts, who most often have to deal with stuck bolts, know how to unscrew a soured bolt. Several methods of unscrewing are used, including the use of physical and temperature effects, and chemical compounds.

Tapping and physical impact

Impact with a hammer and chisel helps to disrupt the adhesion of materials and corrosion, as a result of which the bolt gives way and is unscrewed.

• Tapping. A preparatory activity that helps destroy oxides. In mild cases, after tapping it is possible to unscrew the hardware. It is enough to hit the fastener 2-3 times with a hammer using a copper adapter.
• Loosening. Like tapping, it is aimed at destroying rust. You should not unscrew, but rather tighten the bolt even tighter, and only then try to unscrew it.
• Lever arm. It is recommended to use it as a key tool at hand. First you should clean the hardware itself and the area around it with a brush with metal bristles. Then a socket wrench is put on the head of the fastener, and a pipe is put on the wrench. The lever increases the force of impact, but it is not recommended to apply excessive force, as this leads to licking of the edges of the nut and breakage of the key.
• Chisel. This effective technique can break up the rust, allowing the fasteners to come off. However, in this case, it is important how exactly the chisel is installed. It should be placed closer to the edge of the bolt/nut, at an angle, in the direction of unscrewing. The blunt side of the chisel should be struck sharply and powerfully with a hammer.

WD-40 and penetrating agents

WD-40 is a popular product used by almost all motorists. If suddenly it is not at hand, other liquids, such as gasoline, kerosene, white spirit and the like, will help unscrew the bolt due to its high penetrating ability and solvent properties. They soften dirt and rust and penetrate deep into the thread, acting as a lubricant. Application is simple: you need to clean the area around the soured compound and fill it with the chosen product. After 10-15 minutes, the deposits will soften and the lubricant will seep into tiny gaps– the bolt can be unscrewed.

Warming up

Under influence high temperature metal expands, therefore, in order to unscrew a bolt, you need to heat the nut or part into which the hardware is screwed, and if this does not help, then the fastener itself, since fluctuations in size will help destroy the rust. Heating can be done using a tool such as gas-burner, soldering iron or even using a lighter.

A special device for heating corroded and stuck bolts and nuts is induction heater bolts The heated part is placed inside an induction field, a spiral, and as a result heats up. The advantage is that heating is carried out from all sides at once, and not from one side, as in the case of using a torch or other tool. This device is small, convenient, runs on a 220 V network. You can assemble it yourself from improvised means.

While the nut is hot, unscrew it with an open-end or socket wrench. If it is not possible to unscrew it immediately, repeat the procedure and use combined methods (lever, tapping, loosening).

Acids

Acids are used to loosen bolts and nuts. A well-known remedy is table vinegar. After moistening the cleaned joint with vinegar or covering the rusty area with a rag soaked in vinegar, you need to wait about 30 minutes for the rust to soften. Then the hardware can be unscrewed.

In addition to vinegar, phosphoric acid is used, and in particular Coca-Cola, which contains it in sufficient quantity for a positive result. The procedure remains the same: you need to clean the area surrounding the fastener and fill the fastener with a drink. He needs to get wet. Periodically they try to unscrew the bolt. Orthophosphoric acid used for degreasing and dissolving rust.

A special product made on the basis of acids is a rust converter. Before using it, the surface must be cleaned and degreased with a solvent. Then a small cloth is moistened with the converter and placed directly on the rusted connection. The rust is destroyed - the hardware is twisted out.

Shearing off a bolt

The alignment/camber adjusting bolts often become sour. The fact is that they need to be lubricated not only at each camber adjustment, but also at zero maintenance. If this is not done, the bolts will become sour. A layer of aluminum oxide can be found on the removed bolts. There may be a situation where the nut unscrews more or less freely, and the bolt rotates together with the silent block and lever, i.e. the bolt sours precisely in the inner bushing of the silent block. In this case you can:

• Heat - the success of this event is not guaranteed, and you will have to spend a lot of time.
• Fill with “weedishka” - if the bolt in the bushing is not too completely soured, this method will help to unscrew it. If necessary, you can leave the bolts overnight or for a day to dry. Then they should be warmed up. After this they usually unscrew.
• Use a construction hammer. First, unscrew the nut and remove the washer. Then screw the nut flush with the bolt. Place a head of appropriate size on the nut. Then, by inserting a lance into the hammer drill, and the lance itself into the head, turn on the hammer drill in impact mode. Due to vibration, the bolts are knocked out and can later be unscrewed.
• The last method is to saw the bolt in the silent block with a grinder, but there is a risk of damaging the subframe. If you remove the subframe, then such work is very labor-intensive and expensive.

The work is done step by step as follows:

1. Having installed the jack and placed some stands under the car for safety, remove the wheel and fist and get to work. You need to cut extremely carefully so as not to cut through the subframe.
2. Having sawed off the lever and the eye, pull it out from the inner bushing of the silent block. It is more difficult to cut off the inner bushing with the bolt than the lever, since they are recessed into the subframe and are difficult to reach with a grinder.
3. When the bolt has already been sawed, it may turn out that its parts cannot be removed due to a soured bushing. In this case, it is recommended to heat the fastener parts and use a chisel and hammer to help by tapping on the sleeve.

Naturally, with this repair option it is necessary to purchase new levers and bolts in advance. When doing the work yourself, you will only have to spend money on components. However, it is not recommended to take on this work without proper skills in working with an angle grinder. Before you start radical method, experts still advise trying conservative and less expensive methods.

Soured bolts are a headache for motorists. You have to spend time unscrewing them, but if you know in what ways you can unscrew the bolt, the result of the work will be positive.

Surprises are inevitable during renovations. Equipment may fail, apparent durable part- break in the most unnecessary place, and bolts and nuts resist unscrewing. And then the repair drags on, taking extra time, nerves and money.

Nowadays you can find many videos on the Internet with guidance on carrying out any repair work. They say that based on videos from the Internet, you can build a house from scratch and reassemble a car, piece by piece.

But with this a huge number advice and recommendations, it is difficult to choose the right course of action for you. In this article we will try to collect all available experience and systematize it for ease of use.

Bolt with torn edges

Now we'll figure it out how to unscrew a bolt with torn edges. As a rule, the reasons for this problem lie in the following:

• The parts held by the bolt were misaligned in an unnatural way. This leads to pinching and damage.
• The bolt itself was very tight when tightening.
• The tool used to tighten it was the wrong size and improvised means were used (screwdrivers or chisels are often placed in larger keys when there are no suitable small ones).

Before unscrewing a broken bolt or nut, you need to do some preparation. This will allow you to spend less time and effort, and sometimes save expensive equipment.

Sequencing

However, it often happens that it is the screw that jams that cannot be reached with a torch or tapping tool. In this difficult case, use a grinder or any available tool such as a chisel. make a deep cut on the preserved cap. This will become the hook that will allow you to pull out the entire bolt.

Now you can, clinging to this protrusion, try to unscrew the stubborn screw. Press the screwdriver into the recess, and while lightly hitting the handle of the hammer in the direction of unscrewing (not clockwise), slowly turn the bolt.

Hex bolt

The edges of the axis are convenient for both tightening and unscrewing. Clear and even, they provide a reliable support for the key. If the bolt is suitable for your hand and of the appropriate size, at first you can comfortably twist it by hand, later tightening it with the help of a tool. However, there are often cases when, due to excessive use of the screw itself, or heavy loads on the connection, the edges are torn off and the fastener remains sticking out in the joint. It is uncomfortable to handle; it slips out of your hands and tools. Let's look at several options for solving this problem, with corresponding solutions.

A screw with a hexagon hole can be unscrewed in the following way:

• You need to take a file and make it the size for a hex key. By making such a cut, you will save significantly, since you will be able to use this fastener more than once in the future.
• Make a notch on the cap with a grinder or any other in a convenient way, for example, a hacksaw for metal. And use a flat-head screwdriver, resting on its handle as if it were a rotation arm.
• You can also use one of the appropriately sized TORX sprockets to unscrew the screw.

For connecting rod bolts made of steel, there are only two methods:

Star bolt

You can unscrew such a bolt in the same way as unscrewing a nut with torn edges. We discussed the main methods of unscrewing stubborn bolts and nuts in great detail earlier, and now we can summarize all the methods that are suitable for such a screw. So, if the edges of your star bolt are torn off:

• The easiest way is to use an extractor. This proven product will not let you down this time either. Make a hole in the fastener leg, fix a suitable extractor there and carefully unscrew the stuck bolt with careful movements. As we can see from this article, a set of extractors of various diameters is a really necessary thing on the farm if you regularly engage in such assemblies and disassemblies.
• Use the gas wrench. This adjustable wrench will tighten the bolt tightly, and you can remove it with a few turns. This method is good because you don’t need to buy a separate tool. There is a similar wrench in almost every home.
• Focus on the bolt head. If there is enough space around the bolt, make a notch on its head with a grinder or a hacksaw. You can rest a screwdriver or chisel against this notch and turn the bolt by hitting its free end with a hammer or other tool convenient for you.

We have looked at options for releasing bolts and nuts that are available for use by anyone home handyman. Of course, methods used in professional workshops or car repair shops were left out of the discussion. However, they constantly use equipment that you might only need once or twice at home. And it costs a lot of money. Professionals use to release bolts with torn edges:

1. Impact wrench.
2. Hairpin driver.
3. Specialized extractors.

However, if such situations arise for you no more than once a year, then it makes little sense to purchase special tools No.

Sooner or later, any owner is faced with a situation where a nut, bolt or self-tapping screw does not want to be unscrewed. There are several reasons for this: low-quality metal, violation of technology (overheated screws), rust, time, too much effort applied when tightening the connection. However, it is possible to unscrew a bolt with torn edges, a licked nut, or a rusty connection. In this article we will talk about how to do this.

Unscrew the broken bolts and nuts

“Licked” edges on bolt heads or nuts are not that uncommon. Excessive forces that we apply when tightening and then when unscrewing often lead to the fact that the boundary between the edges of the bolt is erased. If the bolt does not unscrew, ordinary wrenches are powerless in this case - they simply turn, and the fasteners remain in place.

Torn or licked edges on a nut or bolt prevent it from being unscrewed

There are several ways to unscrew shear bolts and nuts:

If there is plastic or rubber gasket, it is removed and one of the proposed methods is tried again. If you cannot unscrew a bolt with torn edges using all these methods, there is only one thing left: cut off/saw off the head and drill out the pin.

Rusted nut

Another problem that is familiar to car enthusiasts (and not only) is a rusted nut and/or thread. In this case, you should not make heroic efforts to unscrew the fasteners. Your edges will simply “stick together” and another problem will be added to the boiling thread. If after a couple of attempts you can’t unscrew it, try the following methods one by one:

You can also fight rust with lubricant. Try filling the joint with fluid universal lubricant (available in WD40 cans). After waiting a couple of hours, we try to work with the key. If it doesn’t work, we try other methods one by one.

Self-tapping screws with stripped splines (asterisk)

If overheated screws are unscrewed/twisted a couple of times, their edges lose their sharpness, the screwdriver turns, but the screw itself remains in place. If it “sits” in wood, plaster, chipboard or other similar, not too hard materials, you can put a thin elastic band (for example, for hair) under the screwdriver. Due to the elastic force, a tighter fit is achieved to the remaining edges, which helps to move the self-tapping screw from its place. Other methods are more “traumatic”:

The remains of a bolt or stud without a head can be unscrewed as follows: cut a left-hand thread in the remaining body, drip “moment” glue, screw in the left-hand tap, and leave for an hour. Apply some oil to the main thread and leave for an hour. When the glue sets, unscrew it. If the remains of a self-tapping screw are stuck in the wood, it is easier to seal this hole and install another fastener nearby.

Carrying out renovation work, sometimes the question arises: how to unscrew a bolt or screw with torn edges. This problem has several solutions, knowing which you can unwind almost any hardware. Even if you overdid it and tore off the head or broke the stud, there are ways and tools that allow you to unscrew the broken fasteners.

It is better to prevent any problem than to solve it. Therefore, if you have applied sufficient force and the fastener has not moved, you do not need to continue until you completely damage it. Better do the following:

The above steps will not be superfluous in the case when you decide how to unscrew a bolt with torn edges.

Methods for removing a bolt

Below are the most effective ways unscrewing damaged bolts and screws.

With damaged edges

When deciding how to unscrew a bolt with stripped edges, you need to consider whether there is access to it, its location, and what tool you can use. Based on these factors, You can use one of the following methods:

In difficult cases, in order to achieve the desired result, you need to combine several methods. Therefore, first assess the situation, decide how you can unscrew the bolt, and only then get to work.

With the head torn off

Very often, when dismantling old threaded connections, you can not only damage the edges of the bolt, but also tear off the head. Then the question arises: how to unscrew the broken bolt. If you have separated parts and the broken bolt protrudes from the body of the part, then you can use all of the above methods.

How to unscrew a bolt with a torn head if the body of the bolt does not protrude from the part? There are several options for solving this problem.

Drilling a hole accurately is quite difficult. And if you damage a threaded connection, the situation can only be corrected by drilling a hole and cutting a thread of a larger diameter.

A cut stud is no different from a bolt with a torn head, and therefore the methods for unscrewing it are the same.

Thread damage

There are cases when the thread of the fastener is damaged. In this case, the hardware rotates freely, but it is not possible to remove it from the threaded connection. To solve this problem, you need to lift the bolt. This can be done using a screwdriver or other similar tool, which is inserted under the head and lifts it with force. When the bolt rests, it begins to rotate in the direction of unscrewing. This is done until the hardware is completely removed. If the hole in the threaded connection is through, then you can push from the reverse side using any suitable tool.

If you have a similar problem with the nut, then proceed in the same way. Hardware with damaged threads must be replaced, so if there is access, the nut can be cut off with a grinder or knocked down with a chisel.

Asterisk and hexagon

IN Lately fasteners with asterisk, hexagon and more exotic shapes are increasingly being used. If the edges on such a fastener are damaged and you need to unscrew it, then you can proceed by analogy with ordinary bolts with the only difference that to unscrew you need to use a tool with the appropriate shape of the edges.

Removing the screw

Screws with torn edges cause a lot of trouble. Unscrewing such screws is not easy, but there are several ways to solve this problem. To make it easier to unscrew them, you need to do the same preparatory activities, as for bolts.

In the simplest case, when the screw protrudes above the surface, you can try to grab it with pliers, wire cutters or another similar tool and unscrew it in this way. But most often there is nothing to grab onto. Then you can try the following methods:

1. Sometimes it helps to use thin rubber, for example, from a balloon. A piece of such rubber is placed on top of the screw and unscrewed, pressing the screwdriver through it. This increases friction and prevents the screwdriver from slipping.
2. A screw with a curly head can be converted into a flat-head screwdriver by sawing through the groove with a hacksaw.
3. In order to solve the problem of a screwdriver slipping, you can use cyanoacrylic-based glue; this glue dries quickly and holds metal surfaces together efficiently. The procedure is simple: the screw and screwdriver are degreased, glue is applied to the head of the screw and the screwdriver is pressed against it, maintaining alignment. To speed up the setting of the glue, you can sprinkle it with soda. Wait until the glue has completely hardened and try to unscrew the screw.

In order to avoid such problems in the future, renew all threaded connections with taps or taps before assembly. Replace any damaged fasteners. Be sure to lubricate the threads and fasteners in general. It is best to use graphite lubricant for these purposes.