I finally figured out the trick to get those stubborn fuel tank screws out without stripping them

Spent 2 hours fighting a stripped hex head on a Cessna 172 last Tuesday until an old timer told me to tap the screwdriver with a hammer while turning it slowly. Has anyone else got a go-to method for seized hardware that actually works?

2 comments

2 Comments

tara_palmer10d ago

Try penetrating oil and patience before the hammer comes out.

jake_martin1610d ago

That seems like a lot of effort for what's probably a stuck bolt on a lawnmower or a rusty lock on a shed. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes a hammer is the right tool for the job and it gets it done in 5 seconds flat. Oil and patience sounds great if you're rebuilding a classic car or something, not for a quick Saturday afternoon project. Plus, half the time the penetrating oil just drips off and makes a mess on your driveway anyway. If I'm already annoyed with the thing, I'm probably grabbing the hammer before the WD-40 even has a chance to work.