Holding inaccessible nut/bolt

[DakotaMan]

I was working on my truck over the weekend and since it was a little harder than it should have been, I figured there was probably a tool for the job that I just didn't think of.

I was working on removing the bolts where the manifold connects to the exhaust. If I had an assistant, I would have them simply hold the box end of a wrench in place while I unfastened from below the car. I don't have an assistant, so I use vice grips to hold on to the bolt and hope that it's tight enough for me to unfasten it from below. This works so-so. Sometimes it's not tight enough, or not enough room, etc.

Is there a tool that would do this better? Unfortunately, I can't wiggle my hand through there to hold one side. I'm trying to envision some kind of clamp but I have no idea what to search or look for. If I could weld, I'd simply weld a nut in place on one end...but this isn't something I take on/off very often.

 

[mmason7764]

Dakota,

I don't have a good way of remote holding the backing nut, so I'll be watching the replies from the pros.

Other than vice grips or a second pair of hands, sometimes I can take the box end of a combo wrench and place it on the nut close to whatever it will hit as the nut rotates. If one is lucky that day, when you turn the bolt slowly, the nut and backing wrench will rotate slowly until the backing wrench contacts the obstruction. It will then most of the time hold in place until you crank the bolt free. The procedure often concludes with the backing wrench falling, preferably not on you!

Like you, I'm hoping to learn a better way.

Mark

 

[DakotaMan]

Dakota,

I don't have a good way of remote holding the backing nut, so I'll be watching the replies from the pros.

Other than vice grips or a second pair of hands, sometimes I can take the box end of a combo wrench and place it on the nut close to whatever it will hit as the nut rotates. If one is lucky that day, when you turn the bolt slowly, the nut and backing wrench will rotate slowly until the backing wrench contacts the obstruction. It will then most of the time hold in place until you crank the bolt free. The procedure often concludes with the backing wrench falling, preferably not on you!

Like you, I'm hoping to learn a better way.

Mark

This was my common experience! Then you have to get up from underneath the vehicle to try again.

 

[pi_guy]

I have several toolboxes and mostly work by myself.
One way is load the wrench against the obstruction and then block it in place. Often I have used a hockey stick to wedge something in place.
Or a string tied to wrench other end tied to magnet then the wrench can only fall a short distance and you can retrieve by string.
There is no quick answer it depends on you and your inventory, and if it was a regular issue would make up a tool for the application.

 

[peteco]

I got one of these a few years ago. I have used it a few times and it works OK.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Handee-C...V-Trail-Quad-Off-Road-John-Deere/282710299449

 

[Tractorsellr]

I had this problem this past weekend working on a hay trailer. Nobody around and for the life of me could not get a wrench or vise grips to stay on the bolt, every time I hit the nut with the impact the wrench would fall off. Thru frustration I wedged the wrench against the frame and welded the wrench to the bolt, and wrench to the frame. Problem solved

 

[Wamsutta]

Is this the very end of the exhaust manifold where it connects to the exhaust pipe? Usually the end of the exhaust manifold will have studs threaded into the flange of the exhaust manifold so that all you have to do is turn the nuts to fasten the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold.

 

[Heel2toe]

I got one of these a few years ago. I have used it a few times and it works OK.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Handee-C...V-Trail-Quad-Off-Road-John-Deere/282710299449

That is kinda cool but I wonder if it has enough grip to make itself worthwhile? Can you expand on how you used it and how it worked out as expressing that it worked OK doesnt exactly instill much confidence.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Related, but different.

I was working on an EFI outboard this summer. I needed to remove and clean the idle speed actuator. I got the 3 vertical Phillips head screws off without dropping one, but I knew I would never get the started. Perfect job for a magnetic screw driver (that I have had back in the day for installing points !). WRONG ! The screws were stainless steel and not magnetic. NOW WHAT !

You will all laugh, but is used a tiny dab of rubber cement on the point of the Phillips screwdriver ! It is sticky as heck and dries quickly and will break off easily. WORKED LIKE A CHAMP !!

 

[theoldwizard1]

That is kinda cool but I wonder if it has enough grip to make itself worthwhile? Can you expand on how you used it and how it worked out as expressing that it worked OK doesnt exactly instill much confidence.

Basically, it is just for starting nuts, not tightening them.

My trick is a piece of tape in the box end of a combination wrench to hold the nut. Not prefect, but it works.

 

[Ign]

I had this problem this past weekend working on a hay trailer. Nobody around and for the life of me could not get a wrench or vise grips to stay on the bolt, every time I hit the nut with the impact the wrench would fall off. Thru frustration I wedged the wrench against the frame and welded the wrench to the bolt, and wrench to the frame. Problem solved

LOL! I like this! Sounds like something I might do after failed attempt #15. You basically just created a captive nut or bolt, not always a bad thing.

 

[dede2897234]

I was working on my truck over the weekend and since it was a little harder than it should have been, I figured there was probably a tool for the job that I just didn't think of.

I was working on removing the bolts where the manifold connects to the exhaust. If I had an assistant, I would have them simply hold the box end of a wrench in place while I unfastened from below the car. I don't have an assistant, so I use vice grips to hold on to the bolt and hope that it's tight enough for me to unfasten it from below. This works so-so. Sometimes it's not tight enough, or not enough room, etc.

Is there a tool that would do this better? Unfortunately, I can't wiggle my hand through there to hold one side. I'm trying to envision some kind of clamp but I have no idea what to search or look for. If I could weld, I'd simply weld a nut in place on one end...but this isn't something I take on/off very often.

DakotaMan,

Snap-on sells a magnetic nut holder that can be placed on the open or box end of the wrench: Snap-on.

If you have more room, Ko-ken manufactures Nut-Grip sockets that have 2 interior ball detents that strongly attaches to the bolt. The reseller, Frankstools, sells them in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drives: Frankstools. You can use round head Vise-Grips on the outside of the Nut-Grip sockets.


Dave

 

[rlitman]

Related, but different.

I was working on an EFI outboard this summer. I needed to remove and clean the idle speed actuator. I got the 3 vertical Phillips head screws off without dropping one, but I knew I would never get the started. Perfect job for a magnetic screw driver (that I have had back in the day for installing points !). WRONG ! The screws were stainless steel and not magnetic. NOW WHAT !

You will all laugh, but is used a tiny dab of rubber cement on the point of the Phillips screwdriver ! It is sticky as heck and dries quickly and will break off easily. WORKED LIKE A CHAMP !!

Yeah, starting stainless (and brass) Phillips screws in tight vertical spaces can be interesting.

FYI, they do make Phillips screw starters. There are the typical screw holding screwdrivers that have spring fingers (or a sleeve) for bigger stuff, or something like this for smaller stuff that grips within the socket:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C64SKS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The catch with these spring loaded screw starters is that they will shoot the screw in a random direction if you lose the game of "Operation", if you get my drift. In your case, the rubber cement may have been your best option

...My trick is a piece of tape in the box end of a combination wrench to hold the nut. Not prefect, but it works.

It can. I'll lay the tape across the opening of the wrench (or socket), sticky side facing the wrench, and then press it onto the fastener. That way, the tape comes out with the wrench when you're done. I've also coated the inside of a socket with a film of duct seal.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Wedges. Duct tape. Superglue. Draft wife or child to hold it.

 

[DakotaMan]

Is this the very end of the exhaust manifold where it connects to the exhaust pipe? Usually the end of the exhaust manifold will have studs threaded into the flange of the exhaust manifold so that all you have to do is turn the nuts to fasten the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold.

Yes. Usually it does, but in the late 80s dodge wasn't so kind. There's a flange on the manifold and a flange on the Y pipe and nut and bolts connect the flanges.

 

[SantaAna12]

Multiple sets of vise grips. Box end wedged depending on the angle of the dangle.

 

[PugetDude]

Hot Glue Gun. Best semi-permanent fastener ever. Squirt a dab on the wrench, put it on the nut, it will hold it in place while you rotate the bolt until the wrench catches to provide rotation resistance. Pop the nut out and peel the glue off the wench, no damage to the finish.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

What kind of vise grip are you using?

These usually stay put when you can get them in place and to prevent turning, they come in a few different sizes and don't damage the nut or bolt...

IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Locking Wrench with Wire Cutter (4) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBBD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is another alternative if the first option doesn't work, although that rarely happens...

Stanley 85-610 10-Inch Long MaxGrip Locking Adjustable Wrench https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009OYGZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20



Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[ttpete]

I like to use flag nuts on exhaust flange bolts.

http://www.stanleyengineeredfastening.com/brands/gripco/threaded-assemblies/flag-nuts

 

[Kenskip1]

I had a friend that thought he was a good mechanic.He had a mid 80"s corvette.Anyway he was going to put new spark plugs in it. Oh I can handle it.Well he got them all out and replaced except the front two cylinders.Yes it was a tight fit.Anyway he call and asks me to come over and take a look.Not a problem. 20 minutes later I had both plugs installed. What did I use? A piece of vacuum hose fitted over the end of the spark plug that allowed the plug to thread it's way into the head.It worked like a charm. Once the plug was started then I used the swivel and socket and the task was done.

 

[kctyphoon]

Not sure of the exact need, or if this would help any better than vice grips, but you can also try putting some electrical tape through the closed end of a combo wrench to make the nut fit inside as tight as you need.

 

[DakotaMan]

Multiple sets of vise grips. Box end wedged depending on the angle of the dangle.

Never in a million years would I have thought about simply using a vise grip to hold the box end of a combination wrench in place.

Brilliant!

 

[DakotaMan]

I like to use flag nuts on exhaust flange bolts.

http://www.stanleyengineeredfastening.com/brands/gripco/threaded-assemblies/flag-nuts

Where do you find these? I'm looking for a handfull.

 

[ttpete]

Where do you find these? I'm looking for a handfull.

They were a standard Ford part for exhaust systems in 10 mm. I no longer have a part number.

 

[peteco]

Quote:
Originally Posted by peteco View Post
I got one of these a few years ago. I have used it a few times and it works OK.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Handee-Cl...e/282710299449

That is kinda cool but I wonder if it has enough grip to make itself worthwhile? Can you expand on how you used it and how it worked out as expressing that it worked OK doesnt exactly instill much confidence.

One time I had a problem where it was hard to get the nut aligned properly and the bolt caught the nut crossthreaded and pulled the nut out of the tool. So if it is hard to get the nut aligned properly you will have problems, but I guess that would be true of any holder. Other than that it worked well. If you have a lot of situations where you need this tool then I would say it is worth it. I like the idea of hot glueing the nut in a wrench.

 

[Jeeper]

I make those flag nuts with a welder and a nut. Works great when you need them.

 

[noid]

Long, flex head wrench. Move and flex it to where it hits something;for extra hold then clamp the wrenchto something.

 

[ChevyEFI]

They were a standard Ford part for exhaust systems in 10 mm. I no longer have a part number.

What application? I have been hunting for an M10 item like this.

 

[NUTTSGT]

DakotaMan,

Snap-on sells a magnetic nut holder that can be placed on the open or box end of the wrench: Snap-on.


Dave

I have one of those also and used it a few times. For the small investment, it's well worth it.. . it's the type of tool that pays for itself that one time you need it.

 

[sk farmer]

I have one of those also and used it a few times. For the small investment, it's well worth it.. . it's the type of tool that pays for itself that one time you need it.

x2. one of the few bargains from the truck that is worth having on the shelf. actually, the round disc is a magnet. it hangs on the side of my tool box where i can see it. one of those tools that you forget you have if you don't see it once in awhile.

 

[ttpete]

What application? I have been hunting for an M10 item like this.

Used for exhaust system flange & ball joints.