How to remove Damaged/Rounded Nuts

[rikstar]

Hi all, I was looking to swap over my rear springs on my DC2 this weekend and started to prepare my car for the work. First thing I went to do was slightly loosen the nuts that hold the rear shocks to the car (located in the boot of the car). For some reason one of the bolts was done so tight that when I attempted to loosen it, I damaged the nut to the point that no socket would turn it, and a spanner is hopeless.

Anyone have any ideas on how I could get this nut off now? I’ve tried hammer and chisel and doesn’t work…

[DLO01]

Hammer and chisel would have been one of my last resorts.

You could have tied, tapping it lightly with a hammer to break the bond and use a "single hex" socket.

[destrukshn]

yes for those kinds of work, try to use single hex sockets.
a single hex socket may still work.
what you do, is get a single hex, with maybe a braker bar, and with your palm, hit the bar, using impace to loosen it.

if it still slips
you can use locking pliers as well.

[Eclipsor]

Firstly make sure you've got a proper hex socket of the right size. Not the 12 point hex ones and use plenty of lube. Other options that I've used in the past are: big ass vicegrips, bashing the next size down socket onto it or cut it down to the next size with a dremel. Worst comes to worse I guess you could just try cutting the nut off completely or cut the whole stud off and get another top hat from the wreckers. Or just a new stud if you can do that. But I'm sure some people will have other ideas before it comes to that. gl

[ginganggooly]

Vice grips usually work for me. I've used a dremel to cut them off in the past too...

[rikstar]

thanks for the responses guys, they have all been good ideas. some of the ideas i have already tried, hence the last resort of hammer and chisel.

I have no issues with sacrificing the nut at all or the top hat for that matter… as I have another one spare. But I’m hoping for a solution before I do that…

It’s been suggested that I heat the nut to the point it’s so hot that it will expand and I can just easily twist it loose. Anyone done that before?

[DLO01]

It’s been suggested that I heat the nut to the point it’s so hot that it will expand and I can just easily twist it loose. Anyone done that before?

Yes using an Oxy/acetylene. Heating also can break the bond.

[D4rk4n63l]

what I did to one of the nuts holding my front struts was grind it one size down and borrowed an impact driver to loosen it

[JasonGilholme]

my first piece of advice would be to buy some descent tools.

I only ever used to round nuts when i had cheap/poor quality tools. Ever since i've had descent tools i've never rounded a nut off. (insalled coilovers, brake pads, break discs, changed gearboxes, done exhaust work etc)

but all the tips mentioned in this thread are good. Vice grips would be the go imo.

[ek4-guy]

yep vice grip's or even a small pipe wrench they will grip anything

[riceball]

Run down to Bunnings or your local hardware store and ask for a rounded nut socket set. They are especially designed to removed rounded/shaved nuts. Comes in all sizes and they aren't going to empty your pockets either. Good Luck.

[ECU-MAN]

vice grips all the way

BTW you should never heat stearing or suspention parts with oxy.

[STTICH]

any more info on how vice grips work?

sorry for noobling :o

[Eclipsor]

Basically pliers that clamp closed. You adjust the width that they clamp at. Really handy tool. Trade tools has a 3 size pack for like $20 or something. :thumbsup:

[fuzionz]

Have you tried Rost-off Ice, it freezes the nut it's easier to loosen the nut.

With vice grips you adjust and lock it tight so it won't slip or round off the nut, if it's still slipping just adjust it tighter.