framed said:
With all the ratchet extensions I bought (18") it was like I was
coiling a spring every time I tried to apply pressure. Besides, I
couldn't get at it straight on, thereby necessitating the use of a
ratchet joint. I felt I was about to break something when I put all my
weight on it, and I also felt like the nut was not even about to budge.
If you are saying the bolt has a nut on the back side, concentrate on that.
The bolt just won't loosen as long as the nut is tight.
If there is a nut and it is accessible enough, try this. Clamp a pair of
vise-grips on the nut as hard as you possibly can, then spray penetrant
(preferably not WD-40; use PB Blaster or other genuine penetrant) on the end
of the nut where the threads disappear into the nut, concentrating on the
area opposite where the vise-grips are clamped down. Let it soak up to half
an hour. If another pair of flats on the nut is accessible, clamp the
vise-grips down hard on those and repeat the spray and soak. Doing this
forces the threads together where the vise-grips are clamped down and opens
up a tiny gap 90 degrees from there. The penetrant can reach deep inside the
fitting and the force breaks any adhesions in the threads. I don't know how
much it reduces the torque, but every time I've had to resort to this
technique and been able to get access it has been successful in freeing the
nut.
If all fails, you may have to rent an impact driver and socket. Again, if
there is a nut don't put the driver on the bolt head - it will likely break
the bolt. But then it will come out....
Mike