welding bolts to remove them.

[Kendrick]

I have a stick welder and need to remove 3 recessed special shaped screws for my car door lock and the brake actuator on my truck. the truck bolt is straight forward and will probably not be a problem. the car is another story.

They have degenerated fairly badly. I stuck a screwdriver in and turned quite easily looked down and the screw wasnt turning it had no strength in the head.

 

[KennyG]

You might be able to tack something onto the head to grab and turn it, but there are a lot of things that could go wrong. I've had lots of luck in these situation with a handheld impact driver.

 

[ch47dpilot]

I use a mig so not sure if this will work with a stick welder. Use a nut that the inside is smaller than the outside of the head. Plug weld inside the nut to the bolt head. then just use a socket on the nut to loosen bolt. The heat from welding usually helps break the old rust and stuff free. this works great it you break a bolt off inside something like an engine block. But for that use the same size nut, just thread it on as best you can then plug weld. If using the stick is too hard may just use JB weld inside nut, just thinking out loud never tried it that way

 

[yomax4]

I use a mig so not sure if this will work with a stick welder. Use a nut that the inside is smaller than the outside of the head. Plug weld inside the nut to the bolt head. then just use a socket on the nut to loosen bolt. The heat from welding usually helps break the old rust and stuff free. this works great it you break a bolt off inside something like an engine block. But for that use the same size nut, just thread it on as best you can then plug weld. If using the stick is too hard may just use JB weld inside nut, just thinking out loud never tried it that way

Ditto, Use mig tig or stick. It will work. Always does. Got a screw with a 1/2" head, use a nut with a 3/8 hole or less. Zap it a few times in the center and you will have it.

 

[rcurrie]

A stick welder usually works better, but is harder to do. I usually weld a washer first and then weld a nut to the washer. When the weld cools it shrinks and shrinks the broken fastener making it easier to remove. You probably could take those screws out with an impact driver though.

 

[automech]

I agree with the impact driver. Those screws are always super tight and need to be taken out with the hammer driver. They have not been ruined yet by the looks of them.

 

[yomax4]

Worse case..You could touch the screws with a 312 Stainless Stick rod just enough to get penetration. Then you can take a Vise Grips and turn it out. Start the Arc and count 1001 and you are done. Leave the rod stuck to the bolt and clamp on the vise grip.

 

[Kendrick]

I doubt a impact would work. normal effort with a proper size screw driver and the metal just squished away. I was pushing aginst the end of the driver but the twisting force i was using was light. its crumbling like rotten wood for lack of a better descripton. oh well with luck the welding will melt the lock away even if it doesnt do much to the screw.

wow never would have thought to try a nut hope it will cover enough.. not sure if its to far recessed to do that. i know the truck will be a good canidate for that nut trick. stupid bolt is fairly easy to reach and is above the surface.

 

[Kendrick]

I should rephrase that i guess.. there are many faseners on this car that are failing through fatigue. i have had several non critical bolts especially where road salt and such gets to that just snapped off with normal effort. this is a 95 and 210k+ miles on it. engine is solid with some specifics i have to replace in the not so distant future. but a good car all the same.

 

[Soundguy]

BTDT with a hand held impact driver.

soundguy

 

[Kendrick]

ug brain fuzzy due to tire swap on the van... we shall see about the impact driver first i guess ... if i strip them up more oh well :laughing:

 

[lmalcomb]

Drill the head off the screws, works great with Phillips head screws.

 

[Soundguy]

use a lefty if trying that..

soundguy

 

[Tobias Dunlap]

Go to the Dollar store and buy some cheap screwdrivers. Stick them in the screw head and weld them on. It'll save you alot of headache trying to weld a nut on.

 

[deereman75]

Go to the Dollar store and buy some cheap screwdrivers. Stick them in the screw head and weld them on. It'll save you alot of headache trying to weld a nut on.

I was just going to say that. A cheep harbor freight socket extension might work, that way you could hook a ratchet or breaker bar right on to it.

 

[Short Game]

BTDT with a hand held impact driver.

soundguy

Yup, with the proper bit, should worky good.

 

[Soundguy]

if nothing else it will shear the head then you can drill the shank.

if I drill fastners, I use lefty's

soundguy

 

[deepNdirt]

I find that Nothing helps better than an impact driver,I'm a bit of a junkyard monkey, and have removed many door locks and lots of other difficult screws with one of these impact driver tools, I say when you weld something to it in attempt to turn you will still be using pure torque, Torque usually winds up breaking something an impact will give it all at one instance, either it gives or it don't, be sure its set to turn left when you whack it, cause you may only have one go at it if the bolt threads has in fact started rusting,
if this fails than you do have the second option, weld a nut on it

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I have had good luck welding. Do the manual impact drivers outperform air/electric impact wrenches for stubborn screws? I found some manual drivers online.
Nice
Impact Drivers: Pro Screw-Loosening Impact Driver Set, Screw Looseners
Cheap
Impact Screwdriver Set with Case
7 Piece Reversible Impact Driver Set

 

[Oldmopar]

I've been fairly successful using an air impact set on low power to work the screws loose. Hammer in reverse for a little, then forward, then reverse. I use my 3/8 gun so I don't overpower anything. Just snap a 1/4" socket on the end and slide in a #3 philips. Good luck!