Tried the zip tie trick on a stubborn brake caliper bracket bolt yesterday

Was fighting a 2002 F-150 in my driveway near Tulsa, that caliper bracket bolt would not budge even with PB Blaster and a breaker bar. I wrapped a zip tie around the bolt head and put the socket on, it gave me just enough grip to crack it loose. Any of you guys ever use zip ties for weird security situations like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

adam_butler3812d ago

I read somewhere that zip ties actually work because they compress into the bolt head's corners and stop the socket from rounding it off. Sounds like you got lucky with that F-150, those Ford bolts are notorious for seizing up. I've seen guys use zip ties on rusted exhaust manifold bolts too, but never tried it myself. Heard it can also help if you wrap the zip tie around a stripped Phillips head screw to get a flathead bit to bite. Might have to remember that trick for my next headache project.

nora18412d ago

Man that zip tie trick sounds like voodoo but I tried something similar on a stuck lug nut once where the socket kept slipping. Didn't have zip ties so I used electrical tape wrapped around the nut a few times before hammering the socket on. Worked like a charm for that one time but the tape shredded after i broke it loose. Got a buddy who swears by using a cigarette lighter to heat up the bolt head before hitting it with PB Blaster, says the heat expands the metal and breaks the rust seal. Haven't tried that yet cause my lighter always runs out of fluid. Your zip tie method sounds way cleaner than my tape hack though, might have to carry some in my tool bag for the next fight with a rusty Ford.