Re: Heating rusty bolts


"Rich B" <pilot43t@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1193750804.422190.19690@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Oct 30, 8:15 am, "HLS" <nos...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
<driveway.mecha...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:1193710027.209652.82940@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

While an oxy-acetylene torch is great at heating rusty bolts to get
them loose, are there any decent equivalents for the home mechanic?
I've seen some impossible to move nuts and bolts easily removed after
heated red hot, but don't know what alternatives would be worthwhile.
Is a Mapp gas torch suitable?

My problem is a couple of bolts holding the brake caliper into the
steering knuckle that won't come loose. Space is tight and nearby
rubber abounds. Tried propane, but it did not seem to heat the bolt
enough.

MAPP gas is as about as good as you can do without an oxyacetylene rig.

You might be suprised how effective the manual impact drivers can be for
removing stuck bolts. These are rather inexpensive, if you dont know
about
them. You use a socket or Torx bit or whatever on them, put them on the
bolt to be removed, and strike them a sharp blow with a hammer. The
sharp impact will often loosen stubborn bolts. Since the movement is
small, your likelihood of shearing off a bolt is low.

Penetrating oil before using the tool can help too.

I have a number of these for sale and in stock. Here's a link that
will get you to one of them.
http://www.beachtradingco.com/servlet/the-10538/3-fdsh-8%22-Impact-Driver-Set/Detail

RichB
www.beachtradingco.com


Not trying to spam for RICHB, but that's what HLS is talking about. And
they work really well. Note the advantages he correctly mentioned. Bought
mine at a flea mkt. 30+ years ago and where you got room to hammer, it is a
necessary tool to have. (Be careful when hammering--good way to produce
blood-blisters in the fork between thumb and forefinger!) My guess is no
heat would be needed. The sharp rap/impact plus miniscule movement breaks
loose bolts/nuts that an air impact might somehow ruin. Mine has worked
where an air-imp. stripped the heads HTH, s


.

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