Mechanic's Tips; Removing Frozen Nuts And Screws; Removing Broken Screws Or Bolts - Arctic Cat Cougar Service Manual

GENERAL INFORMATION
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25
MECHANIC'S TIPS
Removing Frozen Nuts and Screws
If a fastener rusts and cannot be removed,
several methods may be used to loosen it. First,
apply penetrating oil such as Liquid Wrench or
WD-40 which is available at hardware or auto
supply stores. Apply it liberally and let it pene-
trate for 10-15 minutes, then tap the fastener
several times with a small hammer. Do not hit it
hard enough to cause damage. Reapply the pene-
trating oil if necessary. Using an impact driver as
described in this chapter will often loosen a stuck
bolt or screw.
CAUTION
Do not pound on screwdrivers unless the
steel shank of the tool extends all the way
through the handle. Pounding on a plas-
tic-handled screwdriver is a sure way to
destroy the tool.
For frozen screws, apply additional penetrat-
ing oil as described, insert a screwdriver in the
slot and tap the top of the screwdriver with a
hammer. This loosens the rust so the screw can
be removed in the normal way. If the screw head
is too chewed up to use this method, grip the head
with vise-grip pliers and twist the screw out.
Avoid applying heat unless specifically in-
structed, as it may melt, warp or remove the
temper from parts.
Removing Broken Screws or Bolts
If the head breaks off a screw or bolt, several
methods are available for removing the remain-
ing portion.
If a large portion of the remainder projects out,
try gripping it with vise-grips. If the projecting
portion is too small, file it to fit a wrench or cut
a slot in it to fit a screwdriver. See Figure 62.
If the head breaks off flush, use a screw ex-
tractor. To do this, center punch as close as
possible to the exact center of the remaining part