I finally had to pick between a 3/8 drive and a 1/2 inch for a stuck bolt on a Duramax oil pan.

The 3/8 felt right but the 1/2 inch breaker bar was across the shop, so I just leaned on the smaller one. It snapped the socket clean off and the bolt didn't even budge, my buddy just laughed and said 'told ya'. Anyone got a good trick for getting a broken socket off a bolt head?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamesc7912d ago

Your buddy was right to laugh, that's a classic move. Sometimes the 3/8 drive is the better tool for the job if it gives you more room to swing. A broken socket just means you were applying real force, which is what that bolt needed. Next time try some heat on the pan first, it might have saved your socket.

parker_hall512d agoMost Upvoted

Ever have one of those days where the tool breaks before the bolt even thinks about moving? I feel that. Heat is a good call, sometimes that's the only thing that'll convince a stuck fastener.

kevinallen12d ago

You ever try a little penetrating oil first? I've had heat work better after the oil's had time to soak in overnight.