Argh. Seized little f***er...any suggestions?

[MarkCup]

Took the Scenic for new tyres this morning but couldn't get the wheelnut cover off one of the wheels as the bolt has seized.

The 'T'piece tool Renault supply would be more effective if it were made from cheese...and so far, no amount of penetrating fluid, taps with a punch, or attempts with the 'T' piece + locking pliers is getting it to budge.

Before I take a Dremel to it and simply cut the cover off...does anyone have any suggestions?

The offending item...

 

[Bluebeard]

Screwdriver in side of the cap and snap it off. You can then get mole grips on the bolt. (Yes, i've had to do it before)

 

[MarkCup]

Thanks Daniel. There's no non-destructive solution then?

 

[Bluebeard]

Not that I've ever bothered with mate. For the sake of £10 for a new (ebay) centre cap and bolt I couldn't be bothered with the hassle.

I always copper grease them now because they do seem to get seized quite easily.

 

[Chri5]

Use a screwdriver or small punch & hammer to knock it round (undo it) or at least start it off. Is that what you meant by using a punch or just hitting it end on in an attempt to shock it free?

 

[slob]

I would get your dremmel and cut a nice slot in it, then whack it with an impact driver with a flat bit on it.

 

[DaveDreads]

Use a screwdriver or small punch & hammer to knock it round (undo it) or at least start it off. Is that what you meant by using a punch or just hitting it end on in an attempt to shock it free?

I'd try this before cavemaning the cover off like Daniel said. lol

 

[Knuckles]

Heat it?

​or

soak it in wd40 first, then give it a few t***s with a hammer

 

[MarkCup]

Use a screwdriver or small punch & hammer to knock it round (undo it) or at least start it off. Is that what you meant by using a punch or just hitting it end on in an attempt to shock it free?

I tried both, lump hammer and large punch end on, and a thin pin punch trying to turn it.

Hadn't thought of cutting a slot and and using an impact driver on it...may try that first before ripping the thing to bits.

 

[Chri5]

Perseverance usually pays in these situations lol

A combo of heating, WD40/Plusgas, twatting it multiple times should budge it eventually

 

[slob]

I tried both, lump hammer and large punch end on, and a thin pin punch trying to turn it.

Hadn't thought of cutting a slot and and using an impact driver on it...may try that first before ripping the thing to bits.

I dismantled a rust bucket motorbike where nearly every bolt was seized and cutting a slot was my normal method, get the bit tapped in with a hammer nice and tight first, then slide on the driver and smack that sucker hard!

 

[Bluebeard]

Perseverance usually pays in these situations lol A combo of heating, WD40/Plusgas, twatting it multiple times should budge it eventually

How do you heat a plastic centre cap? :S

 

[Knuckles]

How do you heat a plastic centre cap? :S

*try to* just heat the bolt

 

[Chri5]

As above ^^^^ obviously dont "aim" for the plastic, and possible with those little blow torches wiith a flame thats only 5-6mm wide.

 

[Bluebeard]

Never going to happen! The paint will bubble (at best!) and the plastic will no doubt warp.

​I'll bet dollar dollar bills on it y0!

 

[welsh.Z.S.]

try tightening it 1st , then undo , sometimes works

 

[slob]

Generally I have found that when I use heat the end result is you basically destroy the corrosion by heating it where it threads into aswell as the bolt, that normally means a lot of heat. Think you would soon melt the plastic in that situation lol.

 

[Bluebeard]

Tbh, if it's the front wheel, you could probably get enough heat into it by driving 2 miles with your foot on the brake.

 

[welsh.Z.S.]

Tbh, if it's the front wheel, you could probably get enough heat into it by driving 2 miles with your foot on the brake.

would prob cost u more in fuel than it would to buy another center cap though lol

 

[Bluebeard]

would prob cost u more in fuel than it would to buy another center cap though lol

Which means I was right all along by butchering it off.

Screwdriver in side of the cap and snap it off. You can then get mole grips on the bolt. (Yes, i've had to do it before)

 

[Bodge!]

I'm with Daniel, rip the thing out!

Few quid on another.

 

[Dan519]

hammer a socket onto it

 

[MarkCup]

Screwdriver in side of the cap and snap it off. You can then get mole grips on the bolt. (Yes, i've had to do it before)

Daniel wins. Snapped the little irritating bar steward off no bother. Just need to attack the bolt now...but at least I can get the tyres changed.