7 Ways To Remove A Damaged Nut - WikiHow

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7 Ways to Remove a Stripped Nut That Won’t Come Off Download Article Experts weigh in with their best tips for loosening stuck nuts Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Use a toothed gripping tool like pliers or a wrench. 2 File the nut down to get a better grip. 3 Use a hammer and chisel. 4 Use a Dremel tool. 5 Heat up the nut to loosen it. 6 Spray the nut with WD-40. 7 Use a bolt extractor or a lug wrench to remove lug nuts. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Howard Fleischmann

Last Updated: July 2, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Howard Fleischmann. Howard Fleischmann is an Automotive Tire and Repair Specialist and the CEO of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, with ten locations throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Yuma, and Casa Grande, Arizona. Howard specializes in full-service auto repair and tire replacement and care for domestic/imported vehicles and large trucks. Howard’s dedication to Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair has earned their team multiple awards and features including the 2021 Phoenix Magazine AZ State 48 “Best of the Best!”, the 2020 “Best of Phoenix” in Auto Repair, the 2013 Master SBD award, the 2013 National “Top Shop” award by Tire Review, the 2012 Diversity Champions Phx Business Journal, the 2009 BBB Ethics award, the 2008 Phx Chamber of Commerce Impact Award -” Small Business of the Year”, and the 2008 ASU Spirit of Enterprise award. Howard is often referred to as “The Car Guy” for local TV stations and is a regular on TV’s Channel 3 Sunday, Good Morning Arizona monthly. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 54,816 times.

A stripped or rounded nut is one of the most annoying problems you might come across while working on your car, motorcycle, snow blower, or another piece of equipment. This usually happens when your sockets or pliers slip when you're turning the nut, shaving down the edges so you can't get a grip. After this, no matter what you do, your sockets will just keep spinning instead of turning the nut. Don’t worry—you’re not out of luck! There are still a few handy tips and tricks that will help you remove the damaged nut, including pro tips from auto repair specialists and handymen.

How to Remove Stripped Nuts: Quick Tips

Use a toothed gripping tool like pliers, locking pliers, or a pipe wrench. Grab the nut with the tool, then strongly twist it counter-clockwise until it comes off. If you’re trying to remove a lug nut, automotive tire and repair specialist Howard Fleischmann says to secure the nut with a lug wrench, then stand on the wrench to loosen the nut.

Steps

1

Use a toothed gripping tool like pliers or a wrench.

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1. A tool with teeth works best since it can grab onto the nut even when it’s stripped or rounded. You’ll still have to use a strong grip to break the nut free. When you have the tool locked onto the nut, turn hard counterclockwise to get it free. Some toothed tools that can work include:[1]
   • Pliers
   • Mole grips, or locking pliers
   • A pipe wrench or monkey wrench
   • Bolt-remover sockets, designed to work with stripped nuts and bolts

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Howard Fleischmann is an automotive tire and repair specialist who specializes in full-service auto repair, tire replacement, and care for domestic and imported vehicles.

   Ryaan Tuttle, a home improvement specialist with over 20 years of experience, specializes in building home service businesses and creating scalable, efficient brands.

   Barry Zakar is a professional handyman with over 10 years of experience. He specializes in carpentry projects and is skilled at constructing decks, railings, other structures, and pieces of furniture.

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2

File the nut down to get a better grip.

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1. Use a metal file and file all the sides and edges of the nut. This roughs up the edges and gives tools a better grip. After filing, lock your tool around the nut tightly and turn counterclockwise.[2]

3

Use a hammer and chisel.

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1. This method isn’t pretty, but it works. First, press the chisel directly against the top edge of the nut. Hit it hard with the hammer to make an indent in the nut. Then press the chisel into the indent from the right side. Hit the back of the chisel to turn the nut counterclockwise until it loosens.[3]
   • Make sure you’re hitting the nut from the right so it turns counterclockwise. If you hit it from the left, you’ll be tightening it.
   • This is not a good method to use for lug nuts on cars or fragile pieces of equipment. It’s easy to miss with the hammer and hit the object.
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4

Use a Dremel tool.

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1. According to home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle, Dremels are useful for cutting small pieces of metal (in this case, damaged nuts). They come with different blades and attachments, making them useful for detailed cuts.[4] Attach a metal-cutting blade and cut across the top of the nut twice to make an X. It should pop off, or loosen enough to unscrew with pliers.[5]
   • Always wear goggles and gloves while you’re cutting the nut. The saw will make sparks and fragments that could get in your eyes.
   • If the nut doesn’t come off completely after cutting, try hitting it with a hammer and chisel to break it off.
   • This isn’t the best method if you’re worried about damaging whatever the nut is attached to. Use a gentler method if that’s the case.

5

Heat up the nut to loosen it.

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1. Heating the nut can help break the bonds holding it in place. If you have a torch or heat induction tool, hold it against the nut to heat it up and loosen the bond. Then try to twist the nut off with pliers or a wrench.[6]
   • Wear thick gloves and goggles whenever you’re working with heat. Make sure you don’t directly touch the nut, or you could get a serious burn.
   • Don’t use this method on a lug nut. High heat could damage the tires.
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6

Spray the nut with WD-40.

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1. According to Handyman Barry Zakar, WD-40 can help loosen a stuck nut. Soak the nut with the WD-40 and let it sit for a few minutes, or even overnight if the bolt is rusted or corroded. Then try to twist the nut off with pliers or a wrench.[7]
   • You can also file the sides of the nut before spraying the oil to give your pliers or wrench some extra grip.

7

Use a bolt extractor or a lug wrench to remove lug nuts.

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1. Getting stripped lug nuts off a car is a bit trickier because you could damage your wheel, rim, or tire if you’re not careful. The best choice, in this case, is a specialized bolt extractor. Press the extractor onto the lug nut and tap it with a hammer so it gets a good grip. Then grab it with a wrench or pliers and turn counterclockwise to get the nut off.[8]
   • You can also use a bolt extractor to get off other types of nuts, not just on cars.
   • Add penetrating oil to the nut before using the bolt extractor to help loosen it up even more.
   • If you only have a lug wrench, Fleischmann says the easiest thing to do is attach it to the stuck lug nut, then stand on the wrench. Your body weight will help break it loose. Once it does, do the rest of the work by hand with your lug wrench.[9]
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Tips

• A good way to avoid damaging nuts in the first place is to use the correct socket size. Sockets that are slightly too big will slip and could strip the nut. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Always wear gloves and goggles when you’re working with heat or power tools so you don’t get hurt. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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References

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/R5d0Bgvjmlk?t=157
2. ↑ https://youtu.be/R5d0Bgvjmlk?t=342
3. ↑ https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tech-stories/10-tricks-remove-stuck-seized-stripped-bolt-nut/
4. ↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
5. ↑ https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/misc/7-ways-remove-rusted-rounded-stripped-bolt/
6. ↑ https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tech-stories/10-tricks-remove-stuck-seized-stripped-bolt-nut/
7. ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/tAXqeEwwQDc?t=77
9. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Auto Repair Specialist. Expert Interview

About This Article

Co-authored by: Howard Fleischmann Auto Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Howard Fleischmann. Howard Fleischmann is an Automotive Tire and Repair Specialist and the CEO of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, with ten locations throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Yuma, and Casa Grande, Arizona. Howard specializes in full-service auto repair and tire replacement and care for domestic/imported vehicles and large trucks. Howard’s dedication to Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair has earned their team multiple awards and features including the 2021 Phoenix Magazine AZ State 48 “Best of the Best!”, the 2020 “Best of Phoenix” in Auto Repair, the 2013 Master SBD award, the 2013 National “Top Shop” award by Tire Review, the 2012 Diversity Champions Phx Business Journal, the 2009 BBB Ethics award, the 2008 Phx Chamber of Commerce Impact Award -” Small Business of the Year”, and the 2008 ASU Spirit of Enterprise award. Howard is often referred to as “The Car Guy” for local TV stations and is a regular on TV’s Channel 3 Sunday, Good Morning Arizona monthly. This article has been viewed 54,816 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 7 Updated: July 2, 2025 Views: 54,816 Categories: Fastening Tools | Home and Garden News

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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Howard Fleischmann Auto Repair Specialist Co-authors: 7 Updated: July 2, 2025 Views: 54,816 100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

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