Cyborg

iTrader: (8)

Any advice on how to loosen a bolt that has Loctite? I'm trying to swap my shifter handle, and I can't budge the bolts. They are the allen head ones on a 5.0, and it's difficult to get leverage on those bolts w/ an allen wrench. I cranked on 'em hard, and I'm not short on strength at all, and I can't budge them, so they must be loctited. I know the tube says to heat it up to 500 degrees to loosen it, but there's no way of getting a heat source into that location without doing a lot of damage to stuff. Any ideas?

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

I'd use a decent quality allen-head socket, a socket wrench, and a cheater bar if necessary. I find allen wrenches (the little L-doohickeys) to be weak. Allen headed sockets seem to work better for tight bolts.

I know AutoZone carries some that aren't bad. Be sure to get one with a lifetime warranty.

Cyborg

iTrader: (8)

Thanks! Good idea!

Splitz

iTrader: (1)

Put the allen wrench of whatever on the bolt...take a trusty hammer and hit the wrench....hard enough...but not TOO hard....that should be enough to break the plastic that Loctite products are made of . All Loctite is is little bits of plastic in a liquid form that bond to screw, nuts, bolts and the sort. Vibrations can also "loosen" some weak Loctite......we use Loctite on Aircraft products...that's how I usually break the loctite when somebody's either used to much of the stuff or the wrong type, or it's really old....

santino04

You could also try to tighten it slighty, then loosen to break it. Good lil trick that many people forget about.

Bill's 02 Z-28 SS

Hi Folks
the best way to apply heat to the nut or the bolt, once heated- it will come out very easily.
thanks
Bill

Splitz

iTrader: (1)

Duh!!! I gotta remember that one!

RacerScott

iTrader: (6)

You might be able to get a small butane torch in that area.