How to Remove a Stripped Hex Nut

Just because nuts are made out of metal doesn't mean they can't get damaged. A nut can be "stripped" when the hard side corners become sheared off or smoothed down so that a wrench or socket can no longer properly grip the nut. When this happens, a few simple solutions might help you remove that stripped hex nut from the bolt it's attached to.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise-grip pliers
  • Penetrating lubricant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray some penetrating lubricant onto the screws of whatever the nut is attached to, then let it sit for a few minutes. This will allow the lubricant to work its way under the nut threads and will help loosen it.

    • 2

      Adjust the tightness of your vise grips so that when you close the jaws around the nut, it is extremely tight. Ensure the grip is tight enough that it will not slip off when you attempt to loosen the nut.

    • 3

      Close the jaws of the vise grips around the nut and twist the nut clockwise just a bit. This will help break the nut free and make it easier to loosen than if you had just attempted to loosen it first.

    • 4

      Twist the nut counterclockwise with your vise grips until it comes free.