Tips on removing stripped allen bolt?

[NorCal88]

Hi all,

 

I was getting ready to change out my auto locking hubs for manual. It seems whoever touched the hubs last over torqued the allen bolts. After twisting up 3 allen wrenches to break them all free. The very last bolt head stripped on me(of course the last one!). So now I have one bolt preventing me from doing the swap. Was gonna try vise grips but it seems like I won't get much bite on the head of the bolt.

[Trogdor636]

I just went through this today as well. I actually had some cheapo torx sockets from Harbor Freight. I hammered one into the bolt and got it out that way. I think it was a T45 for size if that helps. Finding a replacement bolt was my problem, no local fastener place carried that size. Its a M8x1.25 and should be like 63mm long. I ended up snagging some from the junkyard.

 

Where in Norcal? I'm in Redding.

Edited December 23, 2012 by Trogdor636

[NorCal88]

Thanks, I will try that.

 

I'm in Olivehurst/Marysville. Not too far away.

[Leo94]

I had that happen to me on a different car for the harmonic balancer. I ended using a bolt extractor like in the picture below to remove it. All you do is hammer on one that just fits on then turn it anticlockwise. Good luck.

[Kyle94]

We used a grinder and cut a slot in it so we could use a flat head screw driver when I did mine. Lol. Last one as well. Then it was still "good" to use. :-)

[Trogdor636]

The problem with a bolt remover is that there is no room for it. Its snugged so close to the hub. Kyle's method was my next step, then I was going for a left hand drill bit.

[ahardb0dy]

I think when I had one that I couldn't remove I cut the head off with a dremel, than after the hub was removed the bolt just came right out by hand

[sewebster]

Weld an allen key in there? Or just drill and use a screw extractor, though breakage is a distinct possibility...

[Precise1]

Sockitout...

 

http://www.sockitout.com/

 

B

[NorCal88]

Thanks everybody and happy holidays. I will hit it again after the holidays when I find some time.

[Precise1]

Have yoy tried heating them or using a penetrant?

 

B

[k9sar]

I tend to just break them off then piss and moan as I try to drill them out. Seriously though, I would slot the head and hope it holds to a screwdriver without snapping off one of the edges. If that happens, you could try the weld solution or drill it out. Good luck.

[unccpathfinder]

Ive cut off the heads with a dremel

[drewp29]

I stripped a bolt for the coilpacks when I was changing my spark plugs. I tried various easy-outs, but the ones that ended up working were a black and decker set. The difference was the reverse thread was a much higher thread per inch, and it bit more into the hole I drilled in the end of the bolt.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/black-decker-screw-extractor-set-5-pieces-16270-s.html#.UNu7Z6w8CSo

 

You should be able to find them at Home Depot.

 

Best of luck . . . I hate when this happens.

[NorCal88]

T-45 torx bit worked perfect. Think it might have cost me the bit though. Gonna be hard to get it back out after the 3lb sledge . Its worth it though. Thanks all.

 

Funny thing is it still took a 1/2 inch breaker to get it free.

[Kyle94]

T-45 torx bit worked perfect. Think it might have cost me the bit though. Gonna be hard to get it back out after the 3lb sledge . Its worth it though. Thanks all.

 

Funny thing is it still took a 1/2 inch breaker to get it free.

Sounds about right!

 

 

[Trogdor636]

T-45 torx bit worked perfect. Think it might have cost me the bit though. Gonna be hard to get it back out after the 3lb sledge . Its worth it though. Thanks all.

Funny thing is it still took a 1/2 inch breaker to get it free.

Good to hear! I think my bit isn't too bad, but it was like 7.99 for the set so I wasn't terribly heartbroken.