Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Nut removal trick
Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
4118thing
Samba Member


Joined: July 26, 2016
Posts: 120
Location: WNC
4118thing is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:32 pm    Post subject: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

I had a nut that connected the muffler to the exhaust port. Rusted and I tried everything I had. PB Blaster, had impact wrench, etc. Didn’t have a torch. The biggest problem was a socket would fit because of the muffler flange, and an open end would round the nut. No turning radius for a vise grip plier.

My solution, for those having a similar problem, was to drill a small dimple, about 1/8”, into the nut outer perimeter, not the face, without going very deep. Then with a nail punch and small hammer strike the nut, in an angle to cause it to turn ccw. Drill another dimple as needed, etc. Keep working around the perimeter as needed.

This won’t work for every problem, but it worked for me. Hope it will help others. (Also doesn’t ruin the nut, other than a few dimples.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Rev. Scott
Samba Member


Joined: June 04, 2006
Posts: 770
Location: Philo, Ca.
Rev. Scott is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

John Muir has a similar method involving a cold chisel. It works.
_________________
"I haven't seen one of those since I was shootin' at 'em!"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Al Capulco
Samba Member


Joined: October 31, 2005
Posts: 532
Location: Northridge, CA.
Al Capulco is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

Next time, you might try a 13mm obstruction wrench and a little Kroil.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
4118thing
Samba Member


Joined: July 26, 2016
Posts: 120
Location: WNC
4118thing is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

The obstruction wrench would not work. The problem was there was not enough room to fit a socket or closed end wrench, because the nut was too close to the flange weld. Have no clue how it was tightened, but the open end would fit, but would round the nut when I tried to loosen it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Al Capulco
Samba Member


Joined: October 31, 2005
Posts: 532
Location: Northridge, CA.
Al Capulco is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 10:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

Sometimes you have to grind down the wrench a little so it fits, but they do work. Was it a stock exhaust or a header?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
scottyrocks
Samba Member


Joined: August 19, 2016
Posts: 2645
Location: Long Island, NY
scottyrocks is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:41 am    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

4118thing wrote:
The obstruction wrench would not work. The problem was there was not enough room to fit a socket or closed end wrench, because the nut was too close to the flange weld. Have no clue how it was tightened, but the open end would fit, but would round the nut when I tried to loosen it.


When it was tightened it probably wasn't rusted solid and an open end wrench worked.
_________________
“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
4118thing
Samba Member


Joined: July 26, 2016
Posts: 120
Location: WNC
4118thing is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 8:32 am    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

scottyrocks wrote:
4118thing wrote:
The obstruction wrench would not work. The problem was there was not enough room to fit a socket or closed end wrench, because the nut was too close to the flange weld. Have no clue how it was tightened, but the open end would fit, but would round the nut when I tried to loosen it.


When it was tightened it probably wasn't rusted solid and an open end wrench worked.


My thought exactly.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
iltis74
Samba Member


Joined: November 20, 2003
Posts: 826
Location: Anchorage, AK
iltis74 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Nut removal trick Reply with quote

4118thing wrote:
the open end would fit, but would round the nut when I tried to loosen it.


There are wrenches that won't. The snappy "flank drive plus" is what I'm familiar with but there may be cheaper versions out. Yes they'll mark your fasteners up, which is something to keep in mind, but they're notched to grip the fastener away from the edges. The open end will break the bolt before it rounds the nut.
_________________
65 Beetle
74 Thing
87 Syncro
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.