Argh, tightened one of my Radiator nuts too much and now I can't get it off.

[JimmyJames1]

Once again, my Permacool fan has malfunctioned. Anyway, I need to get the radiator pushed back to get it off (actually I don't but I will to get it put back on) and one of the nuts that holds the radiator to the body by the black metal elbow sorta things is tightened down too much. When I try to unscrew it, it turns, but doesn't come off at all. I'm guessing I've tightened it down too much and now it won't come up at all. Please tell me someone has done this before and can tell me how to proceed. At this point, all I can think to do is to try to cut off the bolt thats connected to the body that the nut goes on and going to a junkyard to find another one and weld it on. . . I hope there's an easier way. Suggestions?

[JimmyJames1]

Sorry this is for a '97 240 w/ S13 SR.

[Hijacker]

sounds like you stripped it. best thing to do is to just pull up on the support bracket and see if the screw comes up with it. then you'll have to retap the hole. If that doesn't work, drilling will be your best bet.

In the future, don't get over zealous when tightening small bolts like that. I can safely say that I have learned my lesson quite a few times, and if the bolt seems small, you're best off using a 1/4" drive socket to take your torquing down a notch.

[mss5413]

You might try turning it at the same time that you are pulling it out. Don't try to pull on it as much as you can, just a little bit. If you do get the bolt out this way, you also might try to chase the treads in the hole. You can get the thread chasers at any parts house. Also make sure you chase the threads on the bolt too. Good Luck.

[JimmyJames1]

I've tried doing this and it just doesn't work. The bolt is all the way down and won't come up at all, no matter what amount of force is used to pull it up at the same time as turning. I don't know how I'd saw it off either because the frame bends down to fit the black metal piece flush. More suggestions please?

[BadMojo]

Could try a errr... nut cracker? And no, I don't mean the creepy wooden doll or something you do off the high diving board to show off.

One of these:



Anyone else think that might work?

And not that it helps now, but torque specs man, torque specs.

[Hijacker]

it's been a while since i've pulled a radiator, but i think it uses some sort of self tapping screw now that i think about it. The radiator support is too thin to have threads. You might have to drill the screw out.

[BadMojo]

it's been a while since i've pulled a radiator, but i think it uses some sort of self tapping screw now that i think about it. The radiator support is too thin to have threads. You might have to drill the screw out.

I'd go look at my radiator, but it's dark and I'm naked. Errr...forget that last part.

If it's a self tapping screw, I'd just drill the ****er out and get it over with. You can always get a slightly larger screw to replace it.

[fantabulous]

the threads down at the bottom already sounds like its messed up. i'd just get a cutting wheel or a dremel and cut that entire screw and bolt off. then drill the hole out. go to a hardware store and just get a new bolt, nut, and lock washer. on a screw that small, it should only be tightened to like 10-12 ft lbs. go easy.