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DIY & Home Improvement

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Beartracks

(14,778 posts)
Sat Jul 4, 2026, 02:34 PM 9 hrs ago

"Factory-tight" bolt in my washer: Won't budge! [View all]

I'm trying to get the rotor and stator out of the back of my LG washer to change out the Hall sensor, but the bolt holding the rotor on is majorly stuck. Not gunky or rusty, clean as a whistle -- just won't budge. This is my first time in there doing any work, so this bolt has never been loosened. I'm using a regular ratchet socket wrench, to no avail. I even tried banging the wrench handle with a hammer, and applying my weight to the wrench handle by pushing on it with my foot from a standing position. This thing is ridiculously tight.

Any suggestions? I'm thinking about getting a t-bar sliding breaker bar type of socket wrench, so I can get more leverage with the longer handle and also be able to apply force from both sides at once -- but don't want to spend the money if there's some obvious hack I'm missing. Plus, given my efforts so far, I'm not confident this would work either. Why would a factory-tight bolt be this tight??

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WD-40 Ponietz 9 hrs ago #1
lubrication Kali 9 hrs ago #2
Do you have a torch? Nittersing 9 hrs ago #3
Don't have any suggestion, but UpInArms 9 hrs ago #4
Yep, I did that so I'd know what I was getting into. However, of course... Beartracks 8 hrs ago #19
Might be time to get on the LG website... GiqueCee 8 hrs ago #28
According to what I found drray23 9 hrs ago #5
This message was self-deleted by its author taxi 8 hrs ago #17
I did try whacking it with a pipe wrench, since my hammer wasn't readily available. Beartracks 8 hrs ago #21
This message was self-deleted by its author taxi 8 hrs ago #29
So smack the wrench handle BETWEEN my hand and the end that's on bolt? Beartracks 6 hrs ago #37
This message was self-deleted by its author taxi 5 hrs ago #38
Whaaat? Although, this tracks with my experience. The bolt acts like it's fused to the rotor metal. Beartracks 8 hrs ago #18
Some people have suggested PB Blaster. Would that work on glue, or is it only for rust/gunk? Beartracks 8 hrs ago #22
If you have a length of pvc pipe that you can slip on the ratchet handle that will add leverage. Good luck! Floyd R. Turbo 9 hrs ago #6
I like the idea of sliding the rachet handle into a long pipe. dem4decades 9 hrs ago #7
You can dry heating it up with a blow dryer for a bit. Shambala 9 hrs ago #8
Same for me Dragonfly64 7 hrs ago #32
Lots of WD40? irisblue 9 hrs ago #9
How big is this bolt? House of Roberts 9 hrs ago #10
17 mm Beartracks 8 hrs ago #15
Try tapping the bolt head with a hammer... LuckyCharms 9 hrs ago #11
Interesting point about 6-pt vs 12-pt Beartracks 8 hrs ago #13
I don't know if you can get your hands on a 6 point today... LuckyCharms 8 hrs ago #16
Thanks! Timing is everything, right? Beartracks 8 hrs ago #20
Other things to look at... Flash953 9 hrs ago #12
Motor is fine. It's an LG. I'm just needing to replace the sensor. Beartracks 8 hrs ago #14
Could it be a left-hand thread? Some bolts are opposite to avoid loosening. Norrrm 8 hrs ago #23
Good point... GiqueCee 8 hrs ago #25
Not according to Dr. Google (YouTube DIYers, in this case), but I will try that. Beartracks 8 hrs ago #26
Is it reverse threaded? SheltieLover 8 hrs ago #24
Not according to Dr. Google (YouTube DIYers, in this case), but I will try that. Beartracks 8 hrs ago #27
Pls let us know. SheltieLover 8 hrs ago #31
They may have used something like Loctite on it. KY_EnviroGuy 8 hrs ago #30
Would Liquid Wrench work against a thread glue like Loctite? Beartracks 6 hrs ago #36
Straight from the horse's mouth..... KY_EnviroGuy 1 hr ago #39
heat is the trick for locktite Liber T. 6 hrs ago #33
WD-40 is not a penetrant or lubricant Liber T. 6 hrs ago #34
impact wrench The Wizard 6 hrs ago #35
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