Two Wrench Leverage Trick. Using 2 wrenches to increase leverage on a tight nut or bolt.

Just a quick video on how to use two wrenches together to increase leverage and loosen a bolt. It's an old mechanic's trick, but a good one! It can really save you if the bolt is hard to access or you can't get a breaker-bar and a socket in on it. I've used this trick a lot working on trucks when I get into spaces that no ratchet will fit into.

You can also use this trick to tighten a bolt, just flip the second wrench to the other prong of the first wrench (mirror image of the loosening position) and tighten away.

I originally uploaded this video a couple years ago, but recently I went back and did some re-editing to clean it up and add some more information.

[stephenstalter]

Thanks so much! I used this on four stubborn caliper bolts and it worked like a charm. I thought I was going to have to get an impact or a breaker bar. This saved me. I remember my Dad used to do this when I was a kid, I just didn't remember quite how to link them.

[gilberthale]

Definitely an old school trick that works well. It is amazing how many folks buy or fabricate alternate solutions when this is available.

[nytrocide]

exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much

[nothankyou]

Still the best and easiest way to explain it. Much better than trying to talk someone thru what I learned from you so many years ago. Works well for me when I am trying to pull "oh so carefully" My grandfather was a blacksmith and had a technique that was similar, but you had to have his strength. He would have loved this and offered you a tumbler of "grain".

[truthistruth]

Great hack for tight quarters where a breaker bar or pipe is just too long. Just be careful not to let it slip. Video is on point!

[NicholasMaietta]

The key here is using the second wrench that is just a bit bigger. You can also keep in your toolbox a couple difference short pieces of C channel or some other way to hold the two wrenches together tightly. I lost everything in a fire last year so these tips are awesome because I can't afford to spend $30 on a tool just for 1 job. Additionally, I will be a true minimalist because soon I will be living out of my custom camper van, where space is at a premium where I also want to keep weight down.

[bradbrescia]

You literally saved my sanity with this trick! Had stuck brake caliper bolts and this worked perfectly!

[hawaiiconic_visuals]

Just used this successfully after toiling for a good bit. Saved the day, Thank you

[babe]

OMG, this was a revelation! Was trying fit a leaky faucet with old style bolts that seemed to be welded to the base. I used a pair of pliers to lengthen my wrench and eureka! Turned like butter! Thank you for that simple physics lesson. :)

[leonguyot]

I just had the same issue underneath my car, the driveshaft bolts were incredibly tight and also there wasn't very much space around them, I had only one wrench with a small enough ring end to fit over them, but it wasn't long enough to provide enough leverage, this trick saved the day! Note, American wrenches are mostly very strong, but often by virtue of having relatively fat ends, I used a German made Wrench, (Teng Tools), which has a narrower ring, and another wrench on the end of it.

[Dallas-Nyberg]

Thank you... I have been trying to loosen two stubborn bolts all day.. nothing worked.. I just went out and tried this method and presto.. out they came.. cool.

[mobn]

Wow. Thanks so much. I couldn't get my oil drain plug loose. Even tried a Milwaukee impact drill. Which I knew I shouldn't have tried. But that didn't even work. Tried your method after getting the configuration correct and BOOM. Came loose right away. Thanks so much for the video. Never taking Jeep to dealer for another oil change again. Over charged and don't do good work. Way over tightened the plug. Which should only need 20ft lbs of torque. Thanks again

[Soulcommander]

 say thank you so much. My open ended 14mm wrench was to short to take my nut off of my 1100 1995 Yamaha footpeg. But with your trick I heard about one time but didn't know how to do it you helped me so much. Thanks for taking the time to do the vid.

[denistibbs]

Thank you Pete.
The simple solutions are still the best!
Happy days.
Den. UK.

[DenilSivi]

Give this man his medal truly a lifesaver

[brasewel]

Great video. The oil drain bolt on my bike is really tight with practically no clearance or leverage with just 1 wrench. Definitely going to give this a shot

[JP]

Nice trick! This is one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas!

[thestig]

I did this with a pipe wrench once. No matter what we tried one pipe wrench wouldn't turn this pipe. I put another shorter pipe wrench onto the handle of the first pipe wrench, and it spun immediately. Leverage is amazing.

[RogerPack]

or use a much larger wrench and put it all the way around the "neck" of the first wrench (safer)

[satriani]

Thank you, Thank you!! You saved my bacon. I was removing a sway bar link and my breaker bar was way too long. this trick worked perfectly. I have a ratchet with a 2 foot length of pipe I slip over but the pipe was long, which I use to remove ball joint castle nuts, caliper mounting bolts, tire lugs etc.. just too long.