For the wrenchers out there, how often do you run into strip bolts or even accidentally break bolts? Is it more common than not, where learning to tap a bolt, a piece of a bolt, or use bolt extractors, part of the wrenching game?
Just thinking about my last several jobs, I have either broken bolts by over torquing it (with and without a torque wrench), or I have stripped a nut/bolt.
Some of them I just leave be because it wasn’t a crucial part. Others I have had to tap them out. And others used the special bolt extractor tool to get a grip.
I consider myself a careful guy and cautious guy, especially since I am not an expert at these things, yet broken bolts and stripped bolts continue to happen.
Any tips or tricks to prevent this happening? Or is it just part of the game?
Any tricks you have learned along the way to fix what was broken?
It's easy to avoid stripping threads by starting nuts/bolts with your fingers before putting wrench on it. You should also be able to see with your eyes if it's going on straight or cocked. I've never cross threaded a fastener.
Unless you're talking about rounding the heads over? Use the correct tool where necessary (Deep sockets, offset wrenches, swivel adapters, box wrenches etc.). Avoid adjustable wrenches whenever possible. Avoid cheap wrenches made of crap soft steel that just round the fasteners over. Apply the force perpendicular to the fastener axis, and use your other hand to support the tool so it doesn't slip off. If your ratchet is cocked over it'll round over easier. Use impact tools whenever possible. Even lightly tapping a wrench with a hammer works better than just putting all your weight into it.
I don't remember the last time I broke a bolt. I've never needed an extractor, but I've had to cut off hopeless, rusty seized screws. If it's happening to you more often than not, then your technique needs work.
Yeah, rounded heads is one of the problems. Thanks for the tips.
Whenever I tighten my bolts, I just tighten until it's snug. In terms of torque, I stop just whenever I hear a click.
Good suggestion. Thanks.
My go to solution for stubborn bolts and rusted nuts is a liberal amount of PB Blaster and a judicious amount of heat (propane torch). Stripped out threads will get a Time Sert.
Thanks for the time sert suggestion. I haven’t really seen them IRL, but I just googled them and it looks like it could be useful.
One key to never having this problem again is to reinstall fasteners using an anti seize compound.