What to Do When Car Screws Are Too Tight to Loosen?
2 Answers
You can spray rust remover at the screw's interface or directly apply lubricating oil, then use a wrench to rotate it. Below are some solutions for screws that are too tight to loosen: 1. Use Tools: If the screw is too tight, brute force won't help. Instead, use tools like a wrench and pliers. Clamp the screw with pliers, then tap the screw's end with the wrench's head to create some gap, making it slightly loose. Then, leverage the principle of leverage to potentially loosen the screw. 2. Apply Lubricating Oil: Sometimes, rust makes screws hard to loosen. Spray rust remover or apply lubricating oil at the screw's interface, then use a wrench to rotate it. 3. Heat Application: Another method for rusted screws is heating. Use a gas welding flame to heat the screw thoroughly until it turns red, then apply engine oil. The goal is to use thermal expansion and contraction to increase the gap between the nut and the screw, making it easier to loosen.
I enjoy working on my car myself and have encountered situations where screws wouldn't budge. For example, once when changing a tire, the lug nut was so tight it wouldn't move at all. At first, I tried using a regular wrench several times without success, almost damaging the tool in the process. Later, I sprayed some WD-40 penetrating oil and let it soak into the threads for about 10 minutes to dissolve the rust. Then, using an extended wrench or socket for extra leverage, the nut came off easily. Tight screws are often caused by long-term rust or over-tightening. Applying anti-rust spray during regular maintenance can prevent this issue. If the screw head is stripped, it's safer to take it to a repair shop rather than forcing it. Always remember to wear gloves for hand protection when working on your car.
