Anyone use a micro-torch for bolt removal?

[Cajun Jamie]

When I did my brakes not long ago I used loc-tite red on the big bolts. Was thinking if I was ever traveling and needed to get a bolt off with red, I'd need some heat. At home I used a heat gun, don't have a bottle torch. Was thinking of getting a small one to keep in the tool box. Anyone ever use one of these or recommend one? Just seems easier to pack than a bottle torch.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+butane+torch&i=tools&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.yourmechanic.com/articl...-up-rusted-or-seized-parts-by-timothy-charlet

 

[SnowDrifter]

Won't put out enough heat. Just pack a breaker bar IMO

 

[Cajun Jamie]

Won't put out enough heat. Just pack a breaker bar IMO

That's what I'm reading as well. A MAPP bottle torch seems to work, but these butane one's don't work as well. I'm leaning towards one of these.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-TS4000KC-Trigger-Start-Torch-Kit-TS4000KC/203368730

 

[swathdiver]

When I did my brakes not long ago I used loc-tite red on the big bolts. Was thinking if I was ever traveling and needed to get a bolt off with red, I'd need some heat. At home I used a heat gun, don't have a bottle torch. Was thinking of getting a small one to keep in the tool box. Anyone ever use one of these or recommend one? Just seems easier to pack than a bottle torch.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+butane+torch&i=tools&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.yourmechanic.com/articl...-up-rusted-or-seized-parts-by-timothy-charlet

I used a propane (blue bottle) torch the other day for about 5 minutes on the brake rotor bolt and it didn't do anything. That's when I pounded the T30 into the screw and used a breaker bar on it. Would have done it sooner but forgot about the T30 with the 3/8 drive until rummaging around a tool drawer.

 

[Cajun Jamie]

I used a propane (blue bottle) torch the other day for about 5 minutes on the brake rotor bolt and it didn't do anything. That's when I pounded the T30 into the screw and used a breaker bar on it. Would have done it sooner but forgot about the T30 with the 3/8 drive until rummaging around a tool drawer.

I've got an 18-inch breaker bar and could not budge the brake bolt. After 3-4 minutes with the heat gun it loosened. I'm going to get the yellow bottle and also a piece of pipe to extend my breaker bar. My breaker bar also has a swivel head which helps in tight spots, but takes away some power, in my opinion.

 

[PG01]

I've got an 18-inch breaker bar and could not budge the brake bolt. After 3-4 minutes with the heat gun it loosened. I'm going to get the yellow bottle and also a piece of pipe to extend my breaker bar. My breaker bar also has a swivel head which helps in tight spots, but takes away some power, in my opinion.

You need a 2’ pipe on the end of that 18” bar and they move fine. Done it many times.

 

[SnowDrifter]

You need a 2’ pipe on the end of that 18” bar and they move fine. Done it many times.

My 2 cents:

Most folks wrench wrong. See it all the time, someone's struggling with a tight bolt, they're getting ready to pull their hair out cause they can't bust the darn thing free. I take a look at what they're doing and they've positioned themselves such that their body leverage isn't helping.

You can get a lot more force on something by pulling than from pushing. And by lifting than from hanging.

Your ratchet rotates 360 degrees. Find a position, brace one arm against the thing you're trying to loosen, then grab the wrench with your other arm and pull. I rarely have an issue getting caliper bolts and whatnot loose with my standard 12" ratchet. Though I have a big 25" ratchet I use if something's ungodly tight. Rough estimation of how much torque I can put to that is in the 500ftlb range. If your fastener isn't coming off with that much force, you're not doing it on the side of the road anyway.

 

[PG01]

My 2 cents:

Most folks wrench wrong. See it all the time, someone's struggling with a tight bolt, they're getting ready to pull their hair out cause they can't bust the darn thing free. I take a look at what they're doing and they've positioned themselves such that their body leverage isn't helping.

You can get a lot more force on something by pulling than from pushing. And by lifting than from hanging.

Your ratchet rotates 360 degrees. Find a position, brace one arm against the thing you're trying to loosen, then grab the wrench with your other arm and pull. I rarely have an issue getting caliper bolts and whatnot loose with my standard 12" ratchet. Though I have a big 25" ratchet I use if something's ungodly tight. Rough estimation of how much torque I can put to that is in the 500ftlb range. If your fastener isn't coming off with that much force, you're not doing it on the side of the road anyway.

I agree and do exactly what you’ve described but for the caliper ‘bracket’ bolts that have factory lock-tight on them, i cut the wheel hard, put my ratchet and socket on the bolt, set it at a 2-3 o’clock postion, grab my breaker bar and use 2 fingers to push the bar down to break it loose, then just a normal ratchet swing. Every one has their own methods and this has never failed for me.

 

[Erickk120]

I've made the mistake of using red loctite in the brake bracket bolts before, I take whatever wrench fits and tap it with my 4 lbs mini sledge hammer til it loosens it. Its still tight after that, so I just finish it with an extension ratchet.

 

[Doubeleive]