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Tried using penetrating oil on a rusted bolt, switched to heat and it came right off
Had an exhaust manifold bolt snap on my 97 F150 last weekend. Spent 2 hours soaking it in PB Blaster and it still wouldn't budge. Finally grabbed my propane torch and heated the area around it for maybe 3 minutes. That bolt backed out by hand after that, no drama. Has anyone else had better luck with heat than chemicals on seized stuff?
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lane.joel2mo ago
Wait, you snapped it AND it backed out by hand? That's wild... I've heard of heat working but that's like magic level stuff right there. Usually when a bolt snaps you're drilling and extracting for the next three hours. Three minutes with a torch and it just gives up? That almost sounds too good to be true. I've been fighting with a control arm bolt on my Silverado for two days, soaking it every chance I get. Might have to try the torch route after hearing this. Just need to be careful not to catch anything on fire under there.
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thea1432mo ago
I put a torch to a seized bolt on my old F-150's leaf spring shackle and it came out so easy I almost dropped it. The trick is getting it glowing red hot then letting it cool on its own, not quenching it with water or anything. I'm talking about a standard MAP gas torch from the hardware store, not some fancy setup. Just be smart about what's nearby and keep a fire extinguisher handy, especially if you've got any oil seepage or rubber bushings in the area.
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