How much heat?

[tow653]

Went to change the blades on a Wood RM600 rear finish mower today and couldn't break the bolts that hold blades on with a 3/4" breaker bar,socket slipped. How much heat can I apply to bolt to loosen without seals? Thanks,

 

[gwdixon]

The blade bolts don't have seals so no worry there.

Heat the nuts to dull red and use a good air impact wrench. They will spin right off. But....don't pick them up right away. :fiery:

 

[oldman6048]

Are you sure the bolts are not left hand threads ? Fought the very same problem on a finish mower until I figured it out. An impact will be a lot easier if you have one. Good luck

 

[tow653]

Yes they are left hand threaded ,but knew that and was going correct direction,only have an electric impact wrench,will give it a try.

 

[Sackett2]

You may not have a impact wrench strong -- My 1/2 inch snap on with a huge compressor wouldn't budge it; Moved up to a inch gun and it had to beat on it a while till it moved...

 

[oosik]

I've always found penetrating oil overnight then heat will break most anything. Of course, unless I'm twistin' the wrong way.

 

[CliffordK]

couldn't break the bolts that hold blades on with a 3/4" breaker bar,socket slipped.

What do you mean the socket slipped? Have you already rounded the corners on the bolt? Are you using a good quality 6 pt socket? Whatever is tightest fitting, standard, or metric? I've driven sockets onto badly rusted nuts or bolts before.

Are these nuts or bolts?
Wouldn't heating a bolt to red hot, then spinning it off... only spin half of it off... with very much undesired results.

Typically one turns the bolt/nut in the direction of the cut to loosen the bolts, and opposite of the direction of the cut to tighten.



When all else fails, try a bigger wrench.