Rounded a Nut

[turbojhybrid]

I was taking my cat off to gut it. I got all the nuts loose except for one. I rounded the crap out of it . Any ideas of how I might get it off?

 

[Hot Air]

put plenty of penetrating oil on it and let it soak overnight. Then try vice grips if there is room. If not, find someone with a torch and heat it up and try to remove. good luck! If you break it off, get an Easy-Out.
Conrad

ps...you might want to find a good mechanic!

 

[hounddogs!]

If everything else is loose, see if you can reach between the flanges with a Sawzall. Failing that, a hacksaw blade will fit about anywhere.

I bathe everything in SiliKroil before I even think about removing it. Replace the exhaust hardware with stainless while you're in there.

 

[pacecarta]

easyouts dont work on nuts

the stock cat has 4 studs that stick through the exhaust flange

wire brush the treads clean , aerokroil /nutbuster/ wd40 or your favorite penetrant , and tap the nut with a hammer to break the rust and help the penetrant get in let soak a couple minutes ) , heat( a small torch) , and vise grips -channellockpliers , sometimes the next size down socket tapped on will work , going from a std to a metric or vice vs you can step down less than dropping one size of whatever your using (if 9/16 slips try a 14mm)

if trying to spin it off doesnt work and theres room to get at it a nut splitter works easy , otherwise a small grinder (whizzer wheel or dremmel) and grind the nut down on one side till its near the threads and then split it with a cold chisel or grind the otherside too and it will fall off

 

[scottyb]

I had to cut off all of those bolts. None of them would budge.

 

[bobc455]

Not sure if this picture will work, but Sears sells a nut remover tool. I've used it a couple of times with success, but it depends on your access.

Craftsman Bolt-Out™ Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover Set - Model 52160 at Sears.com

 

[boostingbuick]

Go to sears and buy a nut/bolt extractor to removed it. Never failed me yet.

 

[54Rich]

Hate exhaust work

I had a bolt for the crossover that would not budge, of course couldn't get anything in there. Soaked it for days. Out of frustration, hit it with the air hammer, since it was junk anyhow. That loosened up the rust and it came out with my fingers

Love that $10 tool.

Rich

 

[BlackBandit]

You can also weld something to the rounded nut and use that to get a tool on it and get it off.

 

[Blown&Injected]

cut it off and cut out the studs and put together with SS nuts and bolts.

SS hardware makes exhaust work soooooooooo much better.

 

[turbojhybrid]

well I wenand dropped 25 bucks for the sears kit and it just rounded it even more. I even went with the smallest one in the set and it stripped it even more. So I am gonna wait and see if I can get my hands on a dremel tool and cut that bastard off

 

[Electrajim]

cut it off and cut out the studs and put together with SS nuts and bolts.

SS hardware makes exhaust work soooooooooo much better.

WITH anti-seize. :redface:

ElectraJim

 

[jpwalt1987]

get out the good ole hot wrench

 

[Brer Rabbit]

I was just gonna suggest that...

Not sure if this picture will work, but Sears sells a nut remover tool. I've used it a couple of times with success, but it depends on your access.

Craftsman Bolt-Out™ Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover Set - Model 52160 at Sears.com

I was just at Sears an hour ago and eyeballed that kit. Im sure the other suggestions would work but Im gonna have to get that kit sooner or later. These cars aint gettin any younger.

 

[need boost]

Wow it really must be on there!!!!! I have that set from sears and love it! I have had just a few that I still couldn't get off with it but if it doesn't get it off then its just time for a cut off wheel, torch, etc because it ain't coming off any other way lol. Daniel Ray

 

[boostingbuick]

Wow also. I have used those sears extractors with no failures. That thing just wants to be left alone. Sorry. Sounds like it time to cut it off.

 

[turbojhybrid]

Wow also. I have used those sears extractors with no failures. That thing just wants to be left alone. Sorry. Sounds like it time to cut it off.

Yeah I am going to buy the angle grinder today. Oh weel I needed one anyways

 

[usetaboost]

An air hammer will be your best friend with an old car. Break loose nuts and bolts, cut exhaust off, helps tremendously with front end work. Craftsman air tools are good and fairly cheap, just don't expect much from the impacts though. Haven't used a craftsman that has taken a tire off yet

 

[meanchicken]

I dunno about anyone else, but reading this string has made me assume a defensive posture with my legs crossed.
Rounded nut....cut it off...torch it....extract it....stainless steel with anti sieze...

Ouch!
Don't taze me, bro!

At least one of ya said to lube it....

 

[TurboDave]

well I wenand dropped 25 bucks for the sears kit and it just rounded it even more. I even went with the smallest one in the set and it stripped it even more. So I am gonna wait and see if I can get my hands on a dremel tool and cut that bastard off

Good grief!!! I can't imagine it being that tough!! The last one of those I ran across rounded of good, but using a nut extractor didn't round it anymore, it just broke the stud off.