by "Pixel" (Improbcat)
Published 08/14/2017 at 14:30
by "Pixel" (Improbcat)
Published 08/14/2017 at 14:30
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STARS: 0
Any idea how to get these nuts (or the studs they are on) out? The nuts were so rusted they “flowered”. I’ve tried an extractor, vise grips, and a nut cutter.
The thermostat hosing they are holding on is plastic so heat isn’t an option.
"TheCollective" (spampell)
08/14/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 0
Lots of penetrating oil and prayer. You could try an extractor kit but the angle there is pretty awful.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/14/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 5
If it’s not time sensive, hose it with PB blaster daily for a few days. Soaking it allows the PB to dissolve the rust. If the nuts have already mushroomed or rounded, you’d probably need to resort to a nut extractor:
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
08/14/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 1
How expensive is a new plastic neck?
You can try cutting the nuts apart with a dremel/cutoff disc but it might be easier just to cut the whole thing off and replace the neck.
"Wagonlife740" (wagonlife740)
08/14/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
These fucking rock.
"Pixel" (Improbcat)
08/14/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0
Tried those, the smallest one in the set just spins because so much of the nut has rusted away.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/14/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0
I concur! I carry a set of craftsman slim-profile ones. Generally not a fan of Craftsman products, but these (#52166) have been excellent.
"Pixel" (Improbcat)
08/14/2017 at 14:42, STARS: 0
Still need to get either the nuts off the studs, or the studs out of the block, I’m worried that if I cut them off I won’t have enough material to grab to thread them out. Especially because the steel studs have probably welded themselves into the aluminum block.
Maybe if I can trim the nuts off that’ll leave me the studs to grab onto.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/14/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 1
I’d search for a smaller one and possibly try to set it on the nut with a gentle hammer tap. PB will make the job a lot easier. If you can’t find a smaller extractor, you could resort to vise grips but my experience has been hit or miss. Pinch the vise grips, release and tighten it. Pinch again. You might have to cycle this several times to let the tool get a good bite on the nut.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
08/14/2017 at 14:44, STARS: 1
FWIW, I’d cut/destroy the nuts and maybe the neck just to get the neck off, leaving part of the studs sticking out of the aluminum. Then kroil and vice grips.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/14/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 1
second this
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/14/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 1
I’ve gotten some pretty rounded off nuts off before by using one size smaller socket (6 point preferably) and hammering it on with a BFH. Then use an impact gun (air preferred) and it should be able to pull it out. You should also liberally apply some liquid wrench or kroil (dont mess with WD40 or PB, get the good stuff) ahead of time. If that doesnt work, then yeah you will need to cut it. But Ive gotten things off that looked pretty bad/impossible with that method.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
08/14/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
Grab a socket you don’t like, that is a size or so smaller. Hammer the fucker on to the rusted nut. Twist off?
"KevlarRx7" (kevlarsupra)
08/14/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 0
Heat is always a option,
https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Buster-BB2-ACC-Handheld-Induction/dp/B00ATSL7VE
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
08/14/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 0
Dude, you’re getting a new car
Penetrating lube and nut extractor of right size should do you wonders.
"TorqueToYield" (torquetoyield)
08/14/2017 at 15:03, STARS: 0
Cut just the nut off if you can. Or make a small relief cut (dremel w/ cut off wheel or hand saw or small file) in just the nuts and then chisel and hammer.
Hopefully the stud can be reused or thread chased with a die.
"The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!)" (steve-still-hasnt-wrecked-the-powershift-in-his-12-ford-focus)
08/14/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 0
You could always dremel a slot into what’s left of the nut. If the PB Blaster does it’s job, it shouldn’t take too much effort to get it out, so as long as you can cut a slot and fit a big ass flat screwdriver in there, you should be ok.
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
08/14/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1
I’d break the housing exposing as much thread as i can. then get a pipe wrench or set of vice grips on it.
"yitznewton" (yitznewton)
08/14/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0
Haha, memories of the time I tried to replace the thermostat on my 84 Jetta and sheared off the bolt head, then using an extractor and shearing off the extractor... ended up farming that out to my mechanic, who was able to get it out with a Vise Grip.
"Pixel" (Improbcat)
08/14/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 2
As I haven’t done anything catastrophic yet I am thinking of re-assembling it and bringing it to a mechanic. Since I already havea few jobs that need doing on the xB that I don’t have the specialized equipment for, “Throw money at the problem” is looking more and more appealing.
"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
08/14/2017 at 15:45, STARS: 0
Use a reducing agent on the rusty bits:
"Wagonlife740" (wagonlife740)
08/14/2017 at 17:08, STARS: 0
Nice... just stay away from Cornwell/Snap-on/Mac... they over charge like a mother fucker on these. (trust me, I know lol)
"MuchWagon" (muchwagon)
08/14/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 0
I vote gently cut the nuts away with a cut off wheel+Dremel, or whatever you can be gentle with. They are obviously pretty soft.