how do you get this off???

[Jeremy_5]

I was trying to get my radiator support off, and I got all the bolts off expect for the two bolts that hold on each of the rubber mounts. Their are two nuts on the bottom of each bolt and they seem to be stuck together, if I try to remove just one nut the head of the bolt spins and it is flat so I cannot hold it down to remove the nut. I am not sure if this makes sense to anyone But if someone has done it before can you give me some help!

[kwmech]

use 2 wrenches on both of the nuts to break them away from each other.

[Russell]

Hmm, sounds like it stripped out the little square hole that is suppost to hold the top of that bolt. Maybe give it a couple tack welds around the edges in such a way that you can get the bolt off later if you snap it trying to get the nut off. I had to do this on my GMC's box

[stllookn]

If it is so rusty that they rusted together or the square slot in the rad support is rusted out...get the Sawzall, grinder or hot wrench. You will probably just replace those old bolts anyway.

[ACES]

I've only removed those on one truck and I had to grind them off.

[Jeremy_5]

thanks guys, tried the two wrenches thing for about 4 hours and a few bloody knuckles later. I also tried the sawzall, it didn't work, but it ran out of battery becuase the truck is out in a field so I have no electricity. Would it be easier using a grinder with like a cutting wheel?

[SLS]

Jeremy,

Did you try heating the bolts/nuts with a propane torch?

My bumper bracket bolts were rusted and no amount of penetrating oil (and cuss words) seemed to help. Just when I was about to cut them off my father-in-law (who has worked on more cars than I ever will) told me to grab my little propane torch and heat them up, and then give it a try.

I spent about 5 minutes heating them up....and they came right off with a 1/2" drive ratchet and a wrench.

Give it a try...if you intend to replace the rubber mounting pads.

The propane torch trick has proven very useful several times since then too.

[Jeremy_5]

where can I get a propane torch? How much?

Sounds like a good idea, better than making my knuckles all bloody

[67ChevyRedneck]

When I first read the title of this I thought that it should be in the "Shop Talk" forum

If you can get electricity to it, I'd use a grinder.

[SLS]

Jeremy,

The one I used is like plumbers use for soldering copper pipes....small, handheld. It consists of a torch that has a knob on it for adjusting the flame and replaceable propane cylinders. For an even HOTTER flame, use a cylinder of MAPP gas (instead of propane).

Any hardware store, Ace , Lowes, Home Depot has them (and the gas).....and they are very cheap.

It looks like this:

SLS has attached this image:






If you really want to heat things up, you could also get a twin-cylinder setup that uses MAPP gas and Oxygen. I use one of these for light brazing work. By mixing MAPP gas and Oxygen together, you can get 6000 degrees at the flame tip! This type of torch cost around 50 (and up)

It looks like this:

SLS has attached this image:

[Tx Firefighter]

20 or 30 bucks shuld get you a torch like he's showing. They are invaluable for working on old cars. I use mine all the time to avoid having to string out my big torch.

They won't do the same work as a normal oxy/acetylene torch rig, but they will heat up stuck bolts and stuff real well.

[kaycee]

Vice-Grips

[72 Cheyenne K20]

try a nut splitter they work great - cost about 15 to 20 bucks

[72CSTC5]

Yes those little guys are invaluable until you are heating the inside door latch bolts and not paying attention to the outside of the door getting hot and and bubbling my bodywork on my driver's side door where I shave the door handles and lock. Oh I was pissed. Went back in the house last Saturday and haven't been back in the garage since. Needless to say I never got the screw out!!!!

[Blue68]

I'm with the propane torch too. In a field though, careful not to catch the grass on fire. I had the same problem and went to a handheld hacksaw. I've done that on the door handle screws too when they seized from rust and snapped the clip. It's a bit destructive, but works quick enough, except on high grade bolts.

[Jeremy_5]

Thanks everyone for the help. I went and bought a nut splitter they work good. Both bolts are off, but both of the nut splitters broke. That is a waste of $30, you think they could make them better.

I also invested in a propane torch.

[longhorn71]

i have a pair of mac tool nut splitter for years.i have never had to repalce them.great to take to pick-n-pull because they will not let any torchs in