How To Remove Seized Bolt With No Head?

No matter what material the bolt is made from, it is inevitable that it will degrade over the course of time. That is because rust forms on them. Eventually, bolts start to decay and become stuck. As a result, it becomes nearly impossible to remove them.

Especially, when the bolts have no head. If you don’t know how to free up seized bolts with no head, you might need to wait for the mechanics or spend a lot of money on doing this simple job. Well, if you applied some penetrating oil to free up the bolts and yet it didn’t work. That can be quite frustrating. Besides, if you don’t even want to use the drilling method, we have got you covered with some ideas on how to remove seized bolts with no head.

10 Effective Ways Remove Rusted Bolt With No Head

We have rounded up the ten most effective ways to remove seized bolts with no head. Read step by step.

1. Check The Bolt

First, examine the condition of the bolt. Whether it’s rusted or decayed to the point that a bit of pressure may break the bolt. Although it can be pretty exhausting when you need that bolt in good condition, it can at least help you to be aware of your next steps in removing it. Next, check whether the bolt includes a thread locker, as it can be a good reason for making the bolt stuck on the surface. However, it can easily be wiped out with heat.

2. Remove The Rust

After checking, if you find the bolt is rigid and still workable, the first thing you should do is eliminate the rust from it. To make it more convenient, rub the area of that seized bolt with a wire brush. Even after that, if the bolts don’t budge, apply some hydrogen peroxide. Then let it sit for about a minute or so. This will help to dissolve the rust while making the bolts loosen up a bit. Also, make sure to discard the remaining rust on the bolt by scouring it once again with a hard brush.

3. Pick The Right Tool

Choosing the right mechanical tool is important when it comes to removing a seized bolt that has no head. On top of that, the threads on a bolt may be decayed due to corrosion. In that case, you might need another small-sized tool to have a better grip on it. So to be on the safer side, it is wise to have a set of 6-point wrench tools. Thereby it will save the hassle of buying individual tools for each type of bolt. However, if bolts are stuck within corroded nuts, then use an abrasive wheel on a die grinder to cut that nut off the bolt – only if you do not require those nuts.

4. Determine The Direction To Unfasten

Knowing the right direction for loosening the bolt is important. That is because if you forcefully keep on tuning the bolts in the wrong direction, it may break it or damage the threaded part. And, it can eventually make it more difficult for you to remove the bolt.

5. Apply Heat

Another better strategy to remove seized bolts is to apply heat. Often bolts that get stuck in the nuts can be unfastened with heat application. It can also help in melting the thread-locking compounds. But before applying open flame, make sure you haven’t used any penetrating oil before. Or, even if you use it, clean all the remaining oils off the bolt’s surface. Also, for safety purposes, wear a welding jacket, gloves, helmet, and safety glasses.

You can also use welding blankets to prevent any fire accidents from occurring or to protect other valuables from spatters and sparks. However, if you need to work on tight areas where you can barely reach the bolts, then an oxyacetylene torch can come help. But you need to have prior knowledge on which oxyacetylene tip is the right one to use as the wrong size can either malfunction the bolts or destroy other parts around it.

6. Have Patience While Using Liquid Thread Loosener

Penetrating fluids or liquid thread looseners or whatever you call them; are great for loosening the fasteners like bolts that are seized, corroded, or frozen with time. These oils basically help to reduce the force needed to overcome rust adherence. A variety of penetrating oils are available in the market. Depending on their ingredients, it may take some time to function when you apply it to the bolt.

So you need to be patient. Make sure to pour this oil in a way that it reaches the threads. If required, apply it repeatedly and let the bolt soak overnight. However, if purchasing penetrating oil seems expensive, head over to the next step.

7. Make Use of Paraffin

Often many welders use paraffin to unclasp corroded pipe plugs from cast iron. If you don’t find it suitable to apply open flame, paraffin application is one of the most basic yet effective methods to remove stuck bolts with no head. Basically, the melted paraffin acts as a lubricant that easily covers the thread, making it loose enough to unfasten from a clogged situation.

8. Homemade Penetrating Fluid

Penetrating fluids are a great way to loosen up seized bolts as they add a layer of lubrication besides breaking down the rust. But store-bought penetrating fluids can be expensive. In that case, homemade penetrating fluids can be a good alternative. But make sure to prepare a penetrating fluid with low viscosity to handle rusty bolt threads. The lower the viscosity, the more penetration the oil has.

To prepare the homemade penetrating fluid, take an oiler with a single pumping unit. Mix the same amount of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and Acetone in the oiler. In brief, the mixture has to be in the ratio of 50 to 50. Spray the mixture on the seized bolt, and you will find it coming loose. Besides that, you need to make sure the mixture is sealed properly as acetone evaporates faster.

9. Pulling Off Consistent Force

A long-handled ratchet or breaker bar can help you attain better leverage to pull out stubborn bolts. Also, wear protective gloves to avoid having sore knuckles. Try to make sure that you apply a consistent force while making each turn. Go back and forth at first. If you unexpectedly find it too easy to turn, either you have stripped off the threads, or it was already destroyed inside. Therefore, when you are about to turn the bolts with a wrench, go slow and don’t rush.

10. Last Hope

An electric impact gun such as the Dewalt Impact Wrench is the last resort to free up seized bolts with no head as it can screw you up by crushing the bolts. The rapid impacting action of the gun helps to free up stuck and frozen bolts within seconds. Moreover, it is less likely to shear or strip the bolts off if properly handled.

Conclusion

Removing seized bolts that have no head can be quite bothersome to remove. On top of that, rust will certainly form on the metal over the course of time. So, if you are unaware of these effective ways to unfasten the bolts, it can hamper a lot of time and cause high expenses on calling the experts. With all the steps mentioned above, you can have a hassle-free experience to remove seized bolts with no head.