17 replies to this topic

[GrahamHill]

Well I am trying to remove my engine earth strap to replace it as it is less than half what it used to be... 

The only problem is I can't undo one of the nuts - I have tried the WD40 trick but still no luck so I was wondering what the best way of removing the nut would be. 

 

Are there any decent releasing agents which would get the job done rather than brute force and snapping bits off? 

[HarrysMini]

WD40 is not the right thing to try, as it isn't a proper penetrating fluid - it's a lubricant.

 

You want something like Plus Gas (around £5 on ebay), that is a proper penetrating fluid.

[bikewiz]

Heat it with a torch if it's the one on the motor or PB Blaster or Kroil Oil if it's the one on the bulkhead. Swear a lot at it too, it may not work to get the nut off but it will make you feel better

[Tamworthbay]

Plusgas to soak but if you just come across one during a job then halfords shock and unlock is brilliant.

[Rog46]

WD40 is not the right thing to try, as it isn't a proper penetrating fluid - it's a lubricant.

 

You want something like Plus Gas (around £5 on ebay), that is a proper penetrating fluid.

WD40 was designed as a Water Dispersant!

+1 for PlusGas. also consider Shock and unlock

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165594

 

 (I've never tried it but its safer than heating it with a blow torch)

[gazza82]

WD40 does come in a penetrating fluid form ... but it's not the standard stuff on the shelf ... seen it somewhere, but can't remember where!

[Mini 360]

Plus Gas or Shock and unlock.  Both work well, Plus Gas is the daddy though!

[stickycreambun]

Plusgas + plus blowtorch!

 

I have a little gas soldering iron, brilliant to heat up the end of smaller nuts or bolt heads

[A-Cell]

Halfords shock and unlock

[Alex_B]

You also may have some luck by tightening the bolt slightly, just a nip to break the rusty seal and then try undoing it (Plus gas first) 

[HarrysMini]

You also may have some luck by tightening the bolt slightly, just a nip to break the rusty seal and then try undoing it (Plus gas first) 

+1 That's what I always do.

[tiger99]

So would I, for what it is worth.Just don't tighten very much, and break the bolt off, you just need to make the thread move slightly. A few degrees of rotation is all that is needed. If it moves, then back and forth, a little bit looser each time, adding more Plus-gas if it seems to help, and it will be out, soonish. But please be patient, and gentle with it, or you will be back with another question shortly, and while we can answer that, we would rather that you don't have to extract a broken bolt. I don't like people to have unnecessary aggro. Life is difficult enough without it. (Ok, why would anyone want to own a Mini? Lots of aggro, guaranteed.... My excuse would be that I like the handling.)

 

I assume that it is the thread in the block that has stuck, the bolt at the other end only goes into a nut, which can be destroyed by a nut splitter, hacksaw, file (tedious!) or angle grinder, to allow the bolt to come out. Of course it may turn out to be siezed in the spacer, so next time, if available, use the type of bushes which have the two hard nylon cone inserts, as bolts will not stick to these.

 

I think that using a well-controlled heat source such as a hot air gun or large electric soldering iron is fine, but if you use a blowtorch, gas soldering iron, or anything else that involves combustion, and it all goes wrong, is your insurance company going to pay out? Just suppose that your garage is attached to the house, and that goes too....

 

Sorry to seem alarmist, but flame and the inflammables under any Mini bonnet just do not go together well. Please stay safe and enjoy your Mini.

 

Oh, and  I have assumed that your earth strap is in the usual modern place, the top steady, which is why I was referring to the block and the bushes. You could just leave it alone for now, applying Plus-gas frequently, so that the bolt will come out later when you are doing other maintenance, and add a new strap in the original place, from one of the clutch cover bolts to the inner wing. Obviously you need to clean off some paint where it will be going (Waxoyl afterwards), and drill a hole if a spare hole does not already exist. But there is no harm at all in having two or even three independent earth straps, and it improves reliability somewhat.

[gazza01]

You could leave it in place and fit a secondary one.

[woodley miniman]

Plus gas and heat every time.

[ANON]

 

WD40 was designed as a Water Dispersant!

 

 

it's displacement