How to Get more leverage with bolts nuts & screws

Use right Screwdriver For Job

Get more. Leverage a nut, bolt or screw which was overtightened, rather than one that has rusted in place, can usually be released by adding more leverage to the normal spanner or screwdriver. But before you try that, see if you can tighten. the-fastening a bit as this is sometimes easier than undoing it. Once the fastening

has moved a fraction, it is: easier for the penetrating oil to get between the threads and the grip of the rust is broken. Then undo the fastening as usual.

Extend your Leverage on spanners & ratchets

To gain more leverage on a spanner by slipping a length of metal tubing over the spanner shank to extend it Do not try' this on rusted fastenings as the extra force you can exert may simply shear off the head. However, if all else has failed it may be the only way to shift a very stubborn bolt or nut. If you shear the head off a bolt or a nut off a stud, remove the rest of it later with mole grips.

For extra grip use mole (vise) type grips

Wedge it

If the bolt head or even the nut spins without undoing it when turned from the other end and you cannot fit a spanner on it, it may be possible to stop it from turning by jamming it with the top with an old flat-bladed screwdriver (one you don’t mind getting damaged. try to wedge the flat of the blade between a close-by solid object or surface and a flat on the bolt head or nut. This stops the head from turning and enables you to undo the nut normally Make sure that you do not wedge against anything fragile