need creative ideas on removing overtorqued bolts
 

hey guys. i replaced my left front wheel bearing yesterday, took about 45 mins, no issues at all apart from the jack and jackstands sinking into the pavement. but i went to change the right one, the one midas did and i cant loosen annnything. i jumped on the axle nut on a 3 foot long bar (with the gf on the brake ofcourse) same with the caliper bracket. they dont budge. and my fear is if i get these loose the 3 bolts holding the bearing on are the same. and itll be almost impossible to get a cheater pipe back there let alone stepping on it. any help is greatly appreciated!

ps, ive basically got my tool set down here. no torches no impact, nothing :(

A trick I've used with limted success is to give the bolt a whack with a big hammer then have another go.

Roger.

Penetrating oil is the first choice. Heat is another. And something you very rarely hear about other then old timers like me. Heat, and paraffin wax. Just heat up the bolt, not talking about glowing, just good and hot. Then touch the threads with the wax. It will penetrate and loosen it right up.

Several thoughts (in the order I try them):

- torque wrench
- penetrating oil
- heat
- ice
- alternating heat and ice

If the bolt has broken off:

- drill and extractor kit
- drill out to the point where only the threads and a little bolt are left, and you can pick those out
- drill and retap

PS: freezing spray can be used instead of ice. Get it at electronic supply stores.

What about a can of dust remover turne upside down?

i believe that is pretty much what freezing spray is. That should do the trick though.

lots of good ideas here. i went and dropped $12 on a u joint for my 1/2" ratchet. so depending on how im feeling ill go try again monday or tuesday. im embarrassingly sore after changing one wheel bearing. although its mostly my back from jumping on that wrench and trying to hang off of it lol i wish i had an impact down here. but even if i did, no power in a parkinglot lol.

upside down can of air for the win. from walking out the door, down 3 flights of stairs with all my tools, moving my car to an empty part of the parking lot jacking it up loosening everything, putting it all back retorquing it and parking the car back, and bringing everything in it took me 43 mins! lol. the other side took me 3 times that. good practice for tomorrow. i got the midas back home to ship me the part for free in exchange for a voided warranty. its supposed to be here tuesday.

I went out and bought a big can of antiseize a while back. It was about 20 bucks, but that $20 will definitely save lots of time and energy loosening bolts! I use it on just about everything I take apart.