Is there any way to “get rid” of this bolt? It is so tight that, as you can see, I have damaged it trying to loosen it to extract the wheel. Because of this, the wrench just slips now…
by Redditalan17
Is there any way to “get rid” of this bolt? It is so tight that, as you can see, I have damaged it trying to loosen it to extract the wheel. Because of this, the wrench just slips now…
by Redditalan17
17 Comments
This looks like a fairly modern bike. Is there no quick release latch on the other side of the wheel?
Your wrench is the wrong size. If you can’t get a proper sized wrench on there, try vice grips as tight as you can make them.
Vice grips from the toolbox or tool store, new nut from the bike shop.
Next time, find the smallest size wrench that won’t fit, then go one step up. If you must use the closed end, make sure it has six sides (6-point) rather than 12 sides (12-point).
Godspeed.
Try heating it up then bang on a slightly smaller 12 sided socket
Replace damaged nut. You can replace axle for quick removal but I’d advise against was because replacement part might not be strong enough for your riding/ weight/ safety standards and solid axle is always a good theft deterrent.
Btw you should always use sockets for all nuts unless inaccessible. Using open end wrench will result in damage sooner or later. Socket won’t unless of really scrappy alloy.
Were you using an adjustable crescent? Now that it’s stripped you’re going to want a enclosed socket wrench, get the size right (MM not english), it’ll likely get on there with a bit of resistance and fit tightly.
More aggressive options include vice grips, smaller socket + sledge hammer, dremel, angle grinders, tactical nukes.
Next time use a ring wrench
For the fellow that uploaded a picture of a wrench. This was my response before your answer was deleted:
“Hi, that’s exactly the wrench I used and the nut just melted…I’ll try the hammer or cut it someway. It’s my lil sis bike. Man, what a pain in the…thank you very much for your help.”
You could get a nut splitter to smash it off. It’s expensive to buy a tool for a one-off but a garage or bike shop might be able to do it for you.
You might as well replace all four nuts on that bike if they are all made of chinesium.
I’d probably try a pair of Knipex parallel smooth jaw pliers. File two opposing sides flatish and it should come right off.
Knipex tend to fit better than the proper size wrench especially when the interface is damaged due to their awesome design. They bite harder as you apply torque. Kinda pricey but worth every penny
Vice grips might work, but if they don’t you will have surely destroyed the nut to the point cutting it off would be the only other option … it’s a last resort move
You have obviously used the wrong tool, more than once. My guess is that it was a poor quality adjustable wrench. Lessons learned. Cheap tools are too expensive. As are cheap components.
There are products that are designed to break a nut, or you could cut through it with a Dremel or angle grinder.
Nut busters usually use a carbide wedge and a screw that you turn with a wrench to split one of the flat edges, and then you can usually pop it off with a flathead screwdriver.
I dropped a link on an earlier comment, but automod removed it, so I’m telling you to bust a nut without a link now 😜
Turbo socket. Looks like an open end wrench was possibly used.
Just because you might find yourself in a similar situation again, these are called bolt extractors. Turn left to spin them onto the stripped nut, and it WILL come off with enough force.
https://preview.redd.it/oyuql8oy19ce1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=865ce5adc8ffcbbf86760e27ac44f16eed6085ed
These ones work well – [https://www.toolmart.com.au/pktool-pt10130.html](https://www.toolmart.com.au/pktool-pt10130.html) I used to have one (well my Dad had one) which I took everywhere as a kid as it fitted most nuts bigger than the 8mm brake cable retaining nut. Wasn’t a crowfoot then – it was a proper wrench, though if something you want to use more than once this might be something you can.
Ib my youth, I have been there done that, got the t–shirt, thrown away my poor quality tools, invested in better tools and learned from my experience. My friend, this experience suggests to me that nuts don’t just ‘melt’, even when the, are poor quality. Why are no signs of deformation from the tightening process. I’ve seen somilar problems frlm my brother in law using cheap adjustable wrenches. Not all tools are created eaually. Don’t shoot tve messenger.