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So I swapped my water pump out on my 92 v6 pickup yesterday. Put all the bolts/nuts back, and was about to start to put the v belt and serpentine belt back on. Realized I forgot to reattach the hose connecting the thermostat to the bottom of the radiator. Oh well, no biggie. Start to remove those 3 nuts. One nut comes off just fine; one the nut wouldn't come off, but the dual threaded bolt came out; and the other won't come out at all.
Turns out that the nut is spinning, so it's not seized, but neither the nut nor the bolt will come out. Don't think PB Blaster or a torch would do anything since it's not seized.
How in the hell do I get this thing out so I can finish my job? Pics attached. Any help appreciated.
Water pump Bolt/nut
As a mechanic, I make a real good radar tech...
Having said that, I wager you got the nut down below the threads, that's why it just spins. Try sticking a flat blade screwdriver under the nut while loosening it. You might have to pry a bit. It should re-engage the threads with some pressure under it while turning it. Please note the word "should".
Or maybe a small pulley puller. Put the arms under the nut, the center bolt on the two-ended threaded bolt, and put some pressure under it that way. Hard to try to loosen with a puller attached that way, though...
Alternatively, you can put two nuts on the threads, tighten them down onto one another so they don't move, and use them as a place to put on the wrench to bring the two-ended bolt thingy (technical, aren't I? ) out so you can work on it. You could use something to push on the nut to get it to re-engage the threads. Seems like it would be easier to do with a flathead, like I said earlier.
Last, worst case scenario, get a nut-cutter from a auto parts store, and cut the nut off entirely. Then you have to go buy a new one, but you'd have the old one off, at least.
I know, not the most helpful. Best I got though...
Pat☺
As a mechanic, I make a real good radar tech...
Having said that, I wager you got the nut down below the threads, that's why it just spins. Try sticking a flat blade screwdriver under the nut while loosening it. You might have to pry a bit. It should re-engage the threads with some pressure under it while turning it. Please note the word "should".
Or maybe a small pulley puller. Put the arms under the nut, the center bolt on the two-ended threaded bolt, and put some pressure under it that way. Hard to try to loosen with a puller attached that way, though...
Alternatively, you can put two nuts on the threads, tighten them down onto one another so they don't move, and use them as a place to put on the wrench to bring the two-ended bolt thingy (technical, aren't I? ) out so you can work on it. You could use something to push on the nut to get it to re-engage the threads. Seems like it would be easier to do with a flathead, like I said earlier.
Last, worst case scenario, get a nut-cutter from a auto parts store, and cut the nut off entirely. Then you have to go buy a new one, but you'd have the old one off, at least.
I know, not the most helpful. Best I got though...
Pat☺
Thanks for the ideas, man. I had the same thought about tightening it past the threads, so I did try the screwdriver trick last night to no avail.
After having dinner I had the idea to cut the nut off. Not sure why I didn't think of that originally, but I think that's what I'm gonna do. Dad will be bringing over some tools I don't have this evening to see if we can get it off.
Jan 27, 2020 | 11:53 AM
) out so you can work on it. You could use something to push on the nut to get it to re-engage the threads. Seems like it would be easier to do with a flathead, like I said earlier. 
