I like a mix of whatever light oil is laying around(motor oil, or ATF), whatever solvent is handy (naptha, acetone, whatever) and more importantly, a BIG squirt of 80w90 GL5 gear oil. Enough you can smell it when using the final product. The EP additives in the gear oil prevent the nut from galling to the bolt(and snapping off) once it starts moving.
Probably a good idea to just post your favorite mix here rather than clutter the subforum with different ways of thinning out oil.
50/50 ATF & Acetone tested against and beat store bought formulas. See test results at Fifth Avenue Internet Garage 'Tech Tips'.
In reply to Kenny_McCormic:
I was going to razz you for a repost, but for all the times it's gotten talked about, it wasn't in Tech Tips! Well spotted...
I'd mostly read about the ATF/Acetone mix, but I barely got to use my batch before I permanently lent it out.
Used the ATF/acetone mix with good results, but boy does it stink.
Thanks. I'm trying to get an extremely tight bolt on a back caliper of a 97 sable, that will only allow a box wrench. Gonna try your recipe.
I did a mix of ATF, acetone, and gear oil, like you said. It was magic! I will have that mix on hand forever. Thank you thank you thank you
I'll just add to this that your friendly, local dollar store will have a nice little spray bottle to keep this in.. I got one that's about the diameter of a nickel, and about 6" tall, which is small enough to get into tight places to spray this stuff on.
I have used everything under the sun and the hands down best I have found is plain old brake fluid. Get the cheapest stuff from your local parts store. Get a bolt that you can feel is starting to get tight and strip? Spray some brake fluid on it, run it back in and wait 5 minutes. Then remove it almost by hand.
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