MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: AC on November 30, 2008, 11:25

Title: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: AC on November 30, 2008, 11:25
Well yesterday was supposed to be 'death to the pre-cats'. 3 hours later and they lived on  s:oops: :oops: s:oops: .

Got the 5 manifold nuts loose, the 14mm support bracket bolt wouldn't shift so loosened the 2 12 & 14mm bolts at the bracket end to block, came to the 3 Amigo's (which should have been the easy part as they were replaced (nuts & studs) not so long ago after the joint split following Magnex fitment) and only the middle one moved. Now admittedly I've not been using PlusGas, but have been spraying the various nut/stud/bolt areas with TriFlow (an industrial penetrating oil) for a week or so.  I persisted with the right Amigo nut (as lay on back under the car) using an extension bar on the socket ratchet handle and managed to successfully round the nut off! Great.

Anybody know of a removal method for this that doesn't require specialist tools/skills?

I have thought about borrowing a blow torch, heating the nut up and trying a pair of grips on it. Might this work?  Also, being the left side Amigo when looking down through engine bay I suspect drilling out the stud from above might be possible (although less prefered as I suspect re-tapping would then be required - don't have the kit). Failing all else I suppose I could take it somewhere and get someone else to do it, but I don't want to quit yet.  I know this is elementary stuff, just need an elementary solution?
Title: Re: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: markiii on November 30, 2008, 11:56
irwin nut removers
Title: Re: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: Gif on November 30, 2008, 14:15
Markiii was spot on with this for me.  Got a set of Irwins from local MachineMart and the nut was off in 30 seconds.
Title: Re: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: AC on November 30, 2008, 14:30
Yep, thanks for the advice, spotted a set at Screwfix - £19.99.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/96028/Automotive/Sockets-Hex/Irwin-5-Piece-Bolt-Grip-Nut-Remover-Set

Is it worth still heating the nut up with a blow torch before I apply the Irwin, or just use it straight off?
Title: Re: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: uktotty on November 30, 2008, 14:31
General rule is very tight irwin with hot nuts and that seems to be the best combo
Title: Re: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: Gif on November 30, 2008, 15:33
Worked fine cold for me.  Just choose closest fit then hammer it on nice and hard before using socket to remove it.  Took me more time to get the nut back out of the Irwin   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: 3 Amigo's - At least 1 isn't my friend
Post by: Anonymous on November 30, 2008, 15:46
Quote from: "uktotty"General rule is very right irwin with hot nuts and that seems to be the best combo

I agree, irwin is nowhere near as hot with cold nuts   s:D :D s:D