Bad Wrench Automotive

Merry Christmas Everyone

6 days ago | [YT] | 3

Bad Wrench Automotive

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving, Gearheads! 🦃

I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am for this entire automotive community. Whether you wrench on your own ride, tune engines for fun, or just enjoy watching the content—you’re the reason this channel keeps moving forward.

Thank you for the support, the comments, the shares, the questions, and the good laughs.
I appreciate every single one of you.

Enjoy the food, enjoy the family time, and—of course—enjoy the drives.
Stay safe on the roads today and all weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving, fam! 🧰🚗❤️
More builds, fixes, and fun coming soon.

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Bad Wrench Automotive

This is the new project for the channel an 04 Pontiac GTO 5.7 LS1 6 speed manual. I bought car but it was running rough and idling is clearing showing problems. The questions is do we try to tune it up and then Dyno for baseline or just rebuild it without getting the info?

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Bad Wrench Automotive

I will not be streaming news tonight at 7 pm. I will give you more info when I can.

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

Bad Wrench Automotive

Here’s a ready-to-post recap + step-by-step from last Sunday’s 3 pm livestream (I ran out of time on stream, finished it off-camera):

Fixing Broken Exhaust Bolts — Livestream Follow-Up
Couldn’t finish during the live wrench session, so here’s exactly how I wrapped it up off-stream and got the exhaust sealed again.

Tools I used

Penetrating oil (PB/WD Rust Release), wire brush

Propane/MAP gas torch (controlled heat) & candle/paraffin (optional)

Center punch, hammer

Left-hand cobalt drill bits (start small), regular bits for stepping up

Spiral bolt extractor set (quality matters)

Vise-grips, small chisel/pick

MIG welder + nuts (backup method)

Tap & die or thread chaser (common sizes: M8x1.25 or M10x1.5)

Thread repair kit (Heli-Coil/Time-Sert) for worst-case

Anti-seize, torque wrench, new hardware & gasket


Safety first Support the vehicle on stands, eye/hand protection, work on a cold exhaust unless you’re intentionally applying heat.


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Step-by-step

1. Prep the area
Wire-brush the stud/bolt stubs and surrounding rust. Soak with penetrating oil and let it work.


2. Heat cycle (if rusty)
Gently heat the boss/flange around the broken bolt (not the bolt itself) for 45–60 sec, then touch a little wax to the threads; capillary action helps draw it in. Let it cool slightly and re-apply penetrating oil.


3. Try the easy win
If any stub is proud of the surface, grip with locking pliers and work it back-and-forth—not just out. Add more heat/oil as needed.


4. Center the hole
For a flush or recessed break, use a center punch to mark dead center. Take your time—accuracy here saves headaches later.


5. Pilot drill (left-hand bit)
Drill a small pilot hole straight down the center using a left-hand bit. Often the bit will bite and spin the fastener out on its own.


6. Step up the drill size
Increase bit size in small steps until you reach the extractor’s recommended pilot diameter. Keep the drill square to the flange/manifold.


7. Extractor time (light touch!)
Insert the spiral extractor and turn only by hand with a T-handle. If it doesn’t move with moderate pressure, stop—don’t snap the extractor.


8. Weld-a-nut backup (if extractor resists)
If the break is near-flush, weld a nut onto the broken stud. The heat from welding helps break the rust bond. After it cools slightly, work the nut back-and-forth to walk the stud out.


9. Clean the threads
Once the fastener is out, chase the hole with the correct tap or thread chaser to clear rust and burrs. Blow out debris.


10. Thread repair if needed
If threads are damaged or the hole was off-center, install a Heli-Coil/Time-Sert per kit instructions to restore the original size and strength.


11. Reassemble
Fit the new gasket, align flanges or manifold, and install new bolts/studs with a light coat of high-temp anti-seize on the threads (not on gasket surfaces).


12. Torque & leak check
Torque to the service-manual spec in an even pattern. Warm up the engine and check for leaks (hand over the joint to feel pulses, or use soapy water on cold starts).




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Tips I learned finishing off-stream

Drilling perfectly centered is everything. If you start to drift, stop and re-punch.

If an extractor starts to twist like taffy, abandon it—snapped extractors are hardened and miserable to remove.

Heat the housing, not the bolt; you want the hole to expand.

Replace old hardware in pairs/sets; mixing old/new often causes uneven clamp load on exhaust flanges.


If you caught Sunday’s stream, this is the follow-through you missed; if not, the replay shows the setup and stuck hardware. Drop your questions below and tell me what you want to see on the next live fix!

#exhaustrepair #brokenbolts #rustedbolts #mechanic #DIYauto #livestreamreplay #howto

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4 months ago | [YT] | 1

Bad Wrench Automotive

Starting this week, I’m moving the main livestream to Sunday at 3PM! 🎥⏰

📊 Based on my channel analytics, most of you are watching between 3PM and 1AM on Sundays, so this change is all about making it easier for YOU to tune in, hang out, and not miss a thing!

🛠️ Same great content, same real talk, just a better time to connect.
📍Set your reminder: Sundays @ 3PM (Main Livestream)

Let me know in the comments if this time works better for you—and feel free to share this with someone who’s been missing the lives!

4 months ago | [YT] | 3

Bad Wrench Automotive

This Saturday at 1 pm central, we fix our AC system on our 03 Honda Accord project, and I will also replaced the front brakes and finish this car.

I will see you then.

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5 months ago | [YT] | 2