troy_scott74•12d ago

Fighting with seized bolts on century-old steam systems

How do you loosen them without breaking the stud?

3 comments

3 Comments

paul39011d ago

Heard stories about boilers shaking the whole building when they fired up.

xenathompson12d ago

Those century-old steam systems in old factories, are they really that hard to deal with? I've seen plenty of seized bolts, but most times they're not as bad as people say. Just get a can of penetrating oil and let it sit for a day or two. A little heat from a torch can help, but go slow so you don't damage the surrounding metal. The real issue is when people get impatient and crank on them with a cheater bar. That's how you break stuff. Take your time, and it usually comes loose without a fight.

gray_anderson6d ago

My friend used your method on a century-old steam pipe, @xenathompson, and the bolt came out clean with no fuss.