7 Ways to Remove a Stripped Nut That Won’t Come Off

Experts weigh in with their best tips for loosening stuck nuts

Co-authored by Howard Fleischmann

Last Updated: July 2, 2025 Fact Checked

A stripped or rounded nut is one of the most annoying problems you might come across while working on your car, motorcycle, snow blower, or another piece of equipment. This usually happens when your sockets or pliers slip when you're turning the nut, shaving down the edges so you can't get a grip. After this, no matter what you do, your sockets will just keep spinning instead of turning the nut. Don’t worry—you’re not out of luck! There are still a few handy tips and tricks that will help you remove the damaged nut, including pro tips from auto repair specialists and handymen.

How to Remove Stripped Nuts: Quick Tips

Use a toothed gripping tool like pliers, locking pliers, or a pipe wrench. Grab the nut with the tool, then strongly twist it counter-clockwise until it comes off. If you’re trying to remove a lug nut, automotive tire and repair specialist Howard Fleischmann says to secure the nut with a lug wrench, then stand on the wrench to loosen the nut.

1

Use a toothed gripping tool like pliers or a wrench.

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A tool with teeth works best since it can grab onto the nut even when it’s stripped or rounded. You’ll still have to use a strong grip to break the nut free. When you have the tool locked onto the nut, turn hard counterclockwise to get it free. Some toothed tools that can work include:^{[1]
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- Pliers
- Mole grips, or locking pliers
- A pipe wrench or monkey wrench
- Bolt-remover sockets, designed to work with stripped nuts and bolts
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Howard Fleischmann is an automotive tire and repair specialist who specializes in full-service auto repair, tire replacement, and care for domestic and imported vehicles.

Ryaan Tuttle, a home improvement specialist with over 20 years of experience, specializes in building home service businesses and creating scalable, efficient brands.

Barry Zakar is a professional handyman with over 10 years of experience. He specializes in carpentry projects and is skilled at constructing decks, railings, other structures, and pieces of furniture.

2

File the nut down to get a better grip.

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Use a metal file and file all the sides and edges of the nut. This roughs up the edges and gives tools a better grip. After filing, lock your tool around the nut tightly and turn counterclockwise.^{[2]
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3

Use a hammer and chisel.

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This method isn’t pretty, but it works. First, press the chisel directly against the top edge of the nut. Hit it hard with the hammer to make an indent in the nut. Then press the chisel into the indent from the right side. Hit the back of the chisel to turn the nut counterclockwise until it loosens.^{[3]
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- Make sure you’re hitting the nut from the right so it turns counterclockwise. If you hit it from the left, you’ll be tightening it.
- This is not a good method to use for lug nuts on cars or fragile pieces of equipment. It’s easy to miss with the hammer and hit the object.

4

Use a Dremel tool.

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According to home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle, Dremels are useful for cutting small pieces of metal (in this case, damaged nuts). They come with different blades and attachments, making them useful for detailed cuts.^{[4]
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Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview} Attach a metal-cutting blade and cut across the top of the nut twice to make an X. It should pop off, or loosen enough to unscrew with pliers.^{[5]
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- Always wear goggles and gloves while you’re cutting the nut. The saw will make sparks and fragments that could get in your eyes.
- If the nut doesn’t come off completely after cutting, try hitting it with a hammer and chisel to break it off.
- This isn’t the best method if you’re worried about damaging whatever the nut is attached to. Use a gentler method if that’s the case.

5

Heat up the nut to loosen it.

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Heating the nut can help break the bonds holding it in place. If you have a torch or heat induction tool, hold it against the nut to heat it up and loosen the bond. Then try to twist the nut off with pliers or a wrench.^{[6]
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- Wear thick gloves and goggles whenever you’re working with heat. Make sure you don’t directly touch the nut, or you could get a serious burn.
- Don’t use this method on a lug nut. High heat could damage the tires.

6

Spray the nut with WD-40.

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According to Handyman Barry Zakar, WD-40 can help loosen a stuck nut. Soak the nut with the WD-40 and let it sit for a few minutes, or even overnight if the bolt is rusted or corroded. Then try to twist the nut off with pliers or a wrench.^{[7]
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Barry Zakar
Handyman

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- You can also file the sides of the nut before spraying the oil to give your pliers or wrench some extra grip.

7

Use a bolt extractor or a lug wrench to remove lug nuts.

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Getting stripped lug nuts off a car is a bit trickier because you could damage your wheel, rim, or tire if you’re not careful. The best choice, in this case, is a specialized bolt extractor. Press the extractor onto the lug nut and tap it with a hammer so it gets a good grip. Then grab it with a wrench or pliers and turn counterclockwise to get the nut off.^{[8]
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- You can also use a bolt extractor to get off other types of nuts, not just on cars.
- Add penetrating oil to the nut before using the bolt extractor to help loosen it up even more.
- If you only have a lug wrench, Fleischmann says the easiest thing to do is attach it to the stuck lug nut, then stand on the wrench. Your body weight will help break it loose. Once it does, do the rest of the work by hand with your lug wrench.^{[9]
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  Howard Fleischmann
  Auto Repair Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}

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Tips

A good way to avoid damaging nuts in the first place is to use the correct socket size. Sockets that are slightly too big will slip and could strip the nut.

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