My front fender has broken off due to wear so I want to install a new one, however I'm having trouble removing this bolt. I can remove the newer looking nut without issue but when turning the rusty looking nut the entire bolt turns and I have nowhere to hold on to stop the bolt from turning without ruining the thread of the bolt. Any advice? Thanks in advance
by Thommie02081
10 Comments
Spray with WD40 and leave for a couple of hours – repeat if it refuses to budge. It will move eventually- patience and a little elbow grease is the key
Penetrating oil – something like PB Blaster.
It sounds likely it’s a coachbolt & the square hole in the tube at the front has rounded out, so if/when you get the nut loose you’ll probably need to replace it.
In this case, if WD-40 doesn’t loosen it, carefully cut the nut off with a Dremel or similar tool or small hacksaw.
Also try to pull whatever it is away from the fork (on the rounded bolt end) when you try to unscrew the nut so you get some extra friction on it.
Everybody here is telling you to use wd40 and such but the real issue here is that the square hole or bolt (coach bolt i think but im not sure) is no longer square and thats why it’s turning. So find a way to hold the bolt even if that means destroying it you can always replace it with any other bolt i would recommend any other regular allen key bolt in the right size.
If the bolt end is spinning, add resistance to stop that. Options:
a) dremel or other cutting tool to cut a narrow slot / line across the rounded cap, sized for a flathead screw driver.
b) remove bike wheel, grab center length of bolt shaft from below with vice grip pliers.
I would use a nut splitter.
Force a micro flat screwdriver beneath the rounded bolt end and press. It will stop it from spinning around while removing the lock nut.
That looks like a bolt with lock nut to me. If so, turn the lock nut counter clockwise to loosen it then turn the bolt counter clockwise to remove it.
Something like PB Blaster if necessary. You can probably get a box end over the bolt head to the lock nut. Tapping with a hammer loosens better than constant pressure.
Nut cutter. Then push it out