Fender Splash Shield Removal
I would like to share a tip with you on Removing Rusted Nuts And Bolts. There will be a lot more difficult situations than the three screws on these splash shields but the principals are the same. (One hellish example is the exhaust manifold bolts, another being the good ol' water pump bolts). And yes there are other ways to do this, heat for example, but most of us beginners lack an acetylene tank and torch gitty up in our home garages.
The first thing I do when I am about to remove some rusted or seized up fasteners is I reach for the can of WD40 aka the "Love Potion". Now I am aware of other products such as BP Blaster which claim to do a better job, and yes I own them and have used them, but guess what WD40 works, so I use it. So using the red straw on your WD40 can give each bolt a squirt, if you can get to the back of them like in this case that's even better.
Next go to your toolbox to get the right tools for the job, buying yourself some time, and allowing the Love Potion to do it's magic and seep in. If you can squirt them the weekend before doing your project even better.
Ok, here's the first gold nugget. As you are thinking righty tighty and lefty loosey, that may not always be the way to go. An old timer taught me a trick. (And by old timer I don't mean any disrespect quite the opposite.) He said try to loosen the bolt, however if it won't budge, try to actually tighten it a bit, WHAT? Yes try to tighten it a tad bit, it may not wanna come out but it may go forward just a tinny bit, just enough to bust it loose.
Ok, once it budges, start to unscrew it. But wait, only about a turn or two out, then stop. What you may not realize is all the heat that is building up from the friction of turning this bolt that hasn't moved since Christ was a Corporal, jk. Ok, now squirt some more WD40 on the exposed thread or two, and get this, this is the second gold nugget. Now screw the bolt back in.
No way Greg, I am not doing that, that is stupid, and more work!
Yes maybe it is more work, maybe it is twice the work, but guess what, it is easy work. Imagine if you don't do this and you snap the bolt, oh and you will, heck maybe not all of them but one of those 8 stubborn bolts holding the rusty exhaust manifold on, on the engine while it is still in the car, imagine the work you will have to do now to drill that bad boy out, ask me how I know.
Keep in mind this is for rather extreme situations, so use your judgment and common sense, as your mileage may vary.
I would like to share a tip with you on Removing Rusted Nuts And Bolts. There will be a lot more difficult situations than the three screws on these splash shields but the principals are the same. (One hellish example is the exhaust manifold bolts, another being the good ol' water pump bolts). And yes there are other ways to do this, heat for example, but most of us beginners lack an acetylene tank and torch gitty up in our home garages.
The first thing I do when I am about to remove some rusted or seized up fasteners is I reach for the can of WD40 aka the "Love Potion". Now I am aware of other products such as BP Blaster which claim to do a better job, and yes I own them and have used them, but guess what WD40 works, so I use it. So using the red straw on your WD40 can give each bolt a squirt, if you can get to the back of them like in this case that's even better.
Next go to your toolbox to get the right tools for the job, buying yourself some time, and allowing the Love Potion to do it's magic and seep in. If you can squirt them the weekend before doing your project even better.
Ok, here's the first gold nugget. As you are thinking righty tighty and lefty loosey, that may not always be the way to go. An old timer taught me a trick. (And by old timer I don't mean any disrespect quite the opposite.) He said try to loosen the bolt, however if it won't budge, try to actually tighten it a bit, WHAT? Yes try to tighten it a tad bit, it may not wanna come out but it may go forward just a tinny bit, just enough to bust it loose.
Ok, once it budges, start to unscrew it. But wait, only about a turn or two out, then stop. What you may not realize is all the heat that is building up from the friction of turning this bolt that hasn't moved since Christ was a Corporal, jk. Ok, now squirt some more WD40 on the exposed thread or two, and get this, this is the second gold nugget. Now screw the bolt back in.
No way Greg, I am not doing that, that is stupid, and more work!
Yes maybe it is more work, maybe it is twice the work, but guess what, it is easy work. Imagine if you don't do this and you snap the bolt, oh and you will, heck maybe not all of them but one of those 8 stubborn bolts holding the rusty exhaust manifold on, on the engine while it is still in the car, imagine the work you will have to do now to drill that bad boy out, ask me how I know.
Keep in mind this is for rather extreme situations, so use your judgment and common sense, as your mileage may vary.
