A tight nut on an axle or engine mount sometimes needs more turning force than the handle of one spanner gives. A longer handle gives that force. This page shows safe ways to add length.
Safety
- A longer handle can slip or break a fastener. Make sure the spanner or socket is square on the nut and fully engaged before you pull.
- Pull towards you where you can. If you must push, keep your open hand flat so a slip does not hurt your knuckles.
- Keep your face and body out of the line of the handle. The bike can fall if the stand is weak: check it is stable first.
- Do not use a long handle on small bolts, aluminium threads or anything with a low torque value. A long lever can snap them. For tightening, use a torque wrench: Use a torque wrench correctly.
Options, from shortest to longest
- Joined spanners. Take a second combination spanner of similar size. Hook the closed ring of one onto the open end of the other. The two together make a longer handle.
- Breaker bar. A long, strong handle that takes sockets. It is made for loosening, not for tightening.
- Pipe or tube over the handle. Slip a steel pipe over the handle of a spanner or breaker bar. An old fork tube works, and so does any strong tube.
- A tube with the end squeezed. If the tube is too wide, squeeze the end in a vice until the bar fits inside.
Steps
- Spray the fastener with penetrating oil and wait. See Remove a rounded, seized or broken fastener.
- Fit the socket or ring spanner fully on the nut. A six-point socket grips better than a twelve-point socket: see Choose and use spanners and sockets.
- Add the extra handle. Check it is firmly seated.
- Pull steadily. Do not jerk.
- If the nut still does not move, stop. Heat, more oil or an impact driver is the next step: Loosen a tight screw with an impact driver.
Check your work
- The nut turned without rounding its corners.
- The threads and the part are not damaged.
If it did not fix the problem
- A rounded or broken fastener: Screw or bolt will not come out, or its head is damaged.