# Wrenching apart stuck nuts and bolts **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 26, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230 "2022-03-26T20:12:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/1 "2022-03-26T20:12:32Z")
I found a good forum on wrenching apart stuck pipes that could help those with stuck bolts and nuts, from the steam-fitters: [Removing old stuck pipe fittings...advice? — Heating Help: The Wall](https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/187839/removing-old-stuck-pipe-fittings-advice) > ’ published tests have shown that a 50/50 mixture of Acetone and power steering oil have shown to be much more effective than these or any other commercially available penetrating oil.’ ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2022, 1:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/2 "2022-03-27T01:07:49Z")
I use 1/3 acetone, 1/3 WD 40, and 1/3 auto trans fluid. It seems to work at least as good, probably better, as the other stuff I’ve used, Liquid Wrench. Even that wouldn’t allow me to remove a really rusted 3/4 steel pipe fitting/one-foot pipe section one time that I found buried in the ground probably 50 years. I used it as a test case, as I could put it in a vise so no access problems. Heated it, with a propane torch so it was red hot, no go. Oxy-Mapp. No go The above mixture, soaking daily for a week, no go. Big pipe wrench with cheater bar, still wouldn’t budge. Never was able to get the parts apart. I didn’t try the tap-tap-tap anvil method described in that thread though. Folks here suggest propane isn’t hot enough sometimes, you have to use an oxy-acetylene torch. Interesting discussion in any event, thanks for posting. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2022, 2:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/3 "2022-03-27T02:57:07Z")
How do I get this clean out plug out? The vert pipe is about 2”. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/2/827654df51273139936cf73bb15737bfe5aed884.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2022, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/4 "2022-03-27T15:16:29Z")
not sure if yours is the same, but the one we have the plug is made of lead and so was the replacement the put in when they worked on ours. you could heat it up on the outside of the casing to loosen it. if the lead threads melt a little it is ok. after you get it out heat up the inside part of the threads of the casing and wire brush the inside threads clean. just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/5 "2022-03-27T15:43:04Z")
We had one the plumber busted out and replaced with plastic. I think it may have been brass. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2022, 5:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/6 "2022-03-27T17:32:02Z")
PB Blaster is my go to. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/7 "2022-03-28T00:21:07Z")
Did you try the tap tap tap method described in the OP link? Might be worth a try. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/8 "2022-03-29T00:42:28Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > How do I get this clean out plug out? Ask at [PlumbingHelp.com](http://PlumbingHelp.com) ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/9 "2022-03-29T00:49:43Z")
I’ll see your [Plumbing.com](http://Plumbing.com) and raise you… [Building & Indoor Environment Problem Diagnosis & Repair (inspectapedia.com)](https://inspectapedia.com/index.php)🤣 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/10 "2022-03-29T00:55:35Z")
Not on plumbing of course but on standard metal parts, once I get them apart I use anti-seize everywhere. My favorite small engine guy on youtube goe with the heating to red hot, then quenching cold with cold water. Just heating doesn’t do it without the quenching again. The other thing is heating and melting wax on the joint. Plumbing is a whole 'nother matter though so before destroying the part, call a plumber. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 2:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/11 "2022-03-29T02:51:30Z")
The cleanout plug is a good one because the concrete is higher than the plug. Unpour the concrete… ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 3:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wrenching-apart-stuck-nuts-and-bolts/183230/12 "2022-03-29T03:52:09Z")
Broke more bolts than loosened!