How to remove torque converter bolts when the engine won't rotate
When an engine is completely seized and cannot be turned, you are unable to rotate the crankshaft to access the top torque converter bolts. This prevents you from detaching the converter from the flexplate and successfully removing the engine.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
- This comes up 13.2× more often in r/AskMechanics than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to remove torque converter bolts when the engine won't rotate
- 1Pulling the engine straight forward with the torque converter attached and splitting them on the groundDid this help you?
- 2Pulling the engine and transmission out togetherDid this help you?
- 3Tearing down the engine inside the bay by removing the oil pan and pistons to free the crankDid this help you?
- 4Cutting the wires to use a deep socketDid this help you?
- 5Leaving the partially functioning sensor in placeDid this help you?
- 6Soaking in penetrating oilDid this help you?
- 7Using a chiselDid this help you?
- 8Cutting the bolt out of the control arm and replacing the armDid this help you?
- 9Using heat and beating the boltDid this help you?
- 10Using map gas instead of a propane torchDid this help you?
- 11Applying continuous force once it begins to moveDid this help you?
- 12Using a hammerDid this help you?
- 13Carefully cutting it off from above the counter using a reciprocating saw or multitoolDid this help you?
- 14Applying penetrating oil and heating it with a heat gunDid this help you?
- 15Tapping it lightly with a rubber mallet to try and break it freeDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Got a 2008 Toyota matrix with a control arm bolt seized in the bushing. The bushing is basically torn completely off inside. Any suggestions?”source ↗
“Its been soaking in penetrating oil for a few hours, but even with a chisel I cant seem to get it free from the back panel.”source ↗
“Literally dealt with this the past few days on a 2016 transit. Had to cut the bolt out of the control arm and replace the arm. Heat and beat did nothing but smoke the rubber.”source ↗
“I’ve been going at it for a couple of days with lubricant spray and propane torch heat”source ↗
“I can't rotate the engine to reach the top 2 torque converter bolts.”source ↗
“So I posted here for some time ago about my seized upstream oxygen sensor. I tried heat, penetrating oil, sensor socket I still couldn't get it out. And the corners are just rounding.”source ↗
“The sensor only throws code at winter time but Is silent during the rest of the year. I'm thinking about cutting the wires and using a deep socket but even that doesn't guarantee anything. Should I just let it be?”source ↗
“I cannot get the brass nut free under the sink! It’s about 1.5” I bought a small and large basin wrench and it just won’t break free.”source ↗
“I tried penetrating oil and heating it with a heat gun.”source ↗
“Turns out it was very rusted at the mounting flange area.”source ↗