Saturday, November 23, 2013
How to Remove a Rusty Lug Nut
Removing rusty nuts can be a tedious task, especially if the bolt is stripped or stuck. Separate the nut and bolt as soon as possible to prevent swelling and distortion as rust accumulates. Using proper technique and tools, you can often remove the nut without breaking it. This will allow you to reuse it once cleaned.
Instructions
- 1
Apply penetrating oil to the lug nut and surrounding area to loosen it up. Let the oil soak in for at least an hour to allow it to work through the rust; if you have time on your hands, use a rag to clear away the acquired rust at 10-minute intervals, reapplying oil each time. Try to separate nut from bolt with a 1/2 inch ratchet and socket or 1/2 inch breaker bar after an hour. Review the wear and placement of the nut before selecting a tool. The ratchet wrench can apply more force, but it also risks breaking the nut if used excessively.
2Heat the nut with an acetylene torch or cigar torch to loosen the rust and cause it to flake off. Select the torch based on your experience. The cigar torch is lighter, easily movable and readily available at most hardware stores. The acetylene torch is more precise but should not be used by beginners. Direct the flame from the torch to the outer edge of the nut. Circle the nut slowly, maintaining an even line of fire. Focus first on the outer layer and move up to the inner circle after rounding the outer edge at least 10 times. Heat will cause the nut to expand, allowing oil to seep further down, separating the nut from the bolt.
3Find a socket wrench one size smaller than needed to remove the nut. Center it over the nut and hammer it until it fully covers the nut. Rotate the wrench left and right to remove rust and apply pressure to widen the mouth of the nut. Remove the socket wrench from the nut and use a heavy-duty ratchet to remove the stripped nut.
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