1995hoo

About a week ago I asked for advice in removing a rusted nut and got some very helpful replies, but unfortunately none of the penetrating oils suggested have done the job. In searching for a solution, I found this thing on the Internet. Has anyone ever used one?

FACOM Nut Splitter

Repecat

Yep. I have a couple of "el cheapo" nut splitters that I've had for years. I use them (with mixed success) in removing frozen/rusted nuts in my hobby of restoring antique outboard motors. I think I got mine from Sears and they aren't as sophisticated (or expensive) as the Facom set. I also used an alternative method of a cut-off wheel in my Dremel tool to split the nut.

1995hoo

Thanks. Home Depot had never heard of them, so perhaps it will be off to Sears one night this week. I even tried using a propane torch to heat the nut, but had to quit because I was afraid I'd melt the license plate frame. (The two nuts in question are on the back of an exposed license plate frame on my second car, not the TL.)

Adobeman

Weren't you about ready to hack saw it last week ?

Nut splitters work great but just make sure the tool can get in where you need it. The nut needs to be able to get up into the tool or else you will only split part of it. That is usually enough but makes the job harder to finish off.

Even if it doesn't work on the nut this time it won't hurt to have one in the tool box for next time. I've also used Dremel rotary cutting wheels but the cutting disks break easily and can fly off into space. So promise me you WILL WEAR SAFETY GLASSES if you go the Dremel tool route ! Actually wear 'em anyway!

1995hoo

I tried using the hacksaw and the blade snapped!

Adobeman

arrg...that's one tough nut mate.
Car one , 1995hoo zero.
Keep us posted on the score !

1995hoo

I ordered the FACOM nut splitter because it seems like it's a better size for the particular location. I'll see what happens..... If worst comes to worst, I will just give up and attach the new license plate over the old one, but I really want to avoid doing that if possible because it means attaching a front plate from the bottom, and doing that just leads to vibration.

1995hoo

Well, here's the final word on the topic......the FACOM nut splitter was good and probably would have done the job, except that as I tightened the socket wrench further and further it bent the license plate further and further to the point where it was gonna snap the license plate bracket (===>bad news). So on Saturday I called the Mazda dealer to ask if they could do anything about it and they said they could drill it off. Took it over on Saturday PM and they did it; took about an hour, during which time I went to the mall across the street to buy some pants.

I probably should have called a mechanic in the first place when the penetrating oils didn't work.

Adobeman

Well....not without a valiant fight did you go down....