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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 12:29 PM
  #1  
Floridaboy's Avatar
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Need Tool Recommendation

I am trying to replace a radiator.

The lower transmission line nut will not loosen and my vice grips have now rounded the nut.

The nut attaches the transmission line to the radiator so there is nothing can be placed over the entire nut, it has to slip over it as in some kind of wrench.

I went to Sears and bought a set of wrenches and a different vice grip, but neither of those worked.

Do any of you know of some kind of wrench that works on rounded bolts?
 
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 12:30 PM
  #2  
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From: Dumont nj
ahh man

i dont know either try and E-Z out or cut or grind the head off then dril it out and re tap it
 
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 01:52 PM
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From: Regina
Not a good situation to be in. In the future there is a set of line wrenches that cover more of the nut than a standard wrench for better torque. However, I usually use vice grips too.

You're best bet is probably to cut the line and get a socket on it. You could try a nut splitter also. Maybe you just need bigger vice-grips?
 
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 07:27 PM
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heat the nut with a propane torch an acetleyne torch will melt the line and your tranny or radiator just heat the nut for like 15 or 30 seconds and then grab it with your vice grips an it should move this works good with brake lines too
 
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:10 PM
  #5  
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Line wrench's are best but if that wont work or the other suggestions don't either ,you can cut the line a couple of inchs back from the nut then clamp a piece of braded hose over both cut ends with a hose clamp on both ends. It's not the best way but will work.
 
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:20 PM
  #6  
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Have you tried PB blaster on it? this is a good way to break bolts that are stuck on. If the other tricks don't work I would say cut the metal line, get some rubber transmission line or power steering line(same thing) and install a barb for the rubber line in the radiator and use the rubber line for a makeup in what you cut int the steel line. Or you could go to a parts store and get a tranmission cooler and eliminate the one in the radiator so you never have this problem again.
 
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Old Nov 1, 2006 | 10:10 AM
  #7  
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You can also try heating the nut with a propane torch and then stabbing at it with a candle. Sometimes the wax will draw up into the threads making removal much easier.
 
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Old Nov 1, 2006 | 11:24 AM
  #8  
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I think what I am going to do is cut the line a couple of inches from the nut.

Then install a short new piece of pipe with a new nut on the new radiator.

Then attached the two pipes together with rubber hose made for that kind of application.

I am getting rid of these vehicle soon and will just tell the new owner what I did.
 
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Old Nov 1, 2006 | 03:53 PM
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Rubber hose and clamps or a compression union. Either will work. I think the discharge from this line dumps straight into the pan so there shouldn't be much pressure.
 
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