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Switched to pre-soaking seized bolts before every job, and I haven't broken one in months!
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miles_burns1mo ago
Yeah I was the same about just using more force. Broke so many bolts that way. Now I soak everything overnight and it's crazy how much easier things come apart.
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hall.mary1mo ago
Man, I was totally in the "just hit it with more force" camp for years. I'd snap the head right off a caliper bolt and then spend hours drilling it out. Started pre-soaking everything with penetrant the night before, even if it didn't look bad. The last exhaust manifold job that would have been a nightmare just came apart. Can't argue with results.
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davidprice1mo ago
@hall.mary, you're spot on about the penetrant trick! I learned the hard way too when I tried to force a rusty suspension bolt and sheared it clean off. Now I spray everything down the night before, even on simple jobs like brake pads. Last weekend, some seized lug nuts came off without a fight after a good soak. I used to waste so much time drilling out broken bolts, but now I avoid that mess entirely. It's a game changer for sure!
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