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About three weeks ago I ordered some star twist wheel covers for my 05 and have been waiting like a kid for Christmas ever since!
They came today and went I tried to install them I found most of the allen bolts seized and ended up stripping the head on one.
Several other bolts also looked like they had seen better days.
And to add insult to injury, I also scratched my pie plate when I pulled out the stuck allen key.
Has anyone had any experience removing these allen bolts...with a stripped head?
Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!
I had a couple of those.
Only way I could see was to drill them out.
And then you still have to remove the remaining stubs; I used a grip plier.
Not my favorite moments with the SC430.
As precaution I used lanoline (?) on all the bolts when fitting them.
Personally I like the square style easy out over the true round ones. I've found in my experience they don't expand the bolt as much , making things easier to remove. That while still giving just as much bite.
For the record, I had sprayed all the bolts with penetrating oil before starting my quest, but obviously not enough times.
After using the oxymoronic device called an "easy out" for 30 minutes, I was able to remove the bolt with the stripped head.
I tested the other 3 wheels and found 15 more stuck bolts so gave them all a good soaking and will try another day!
I am hoping I do not become an expert at this bolt removal technique!
Thanks again to all for the ideas!
I would spend some more and buy American made brand like Craftman or alike.
craftsman tools have been made in China now since for like the past decade or so. Even with Stanley tools buyout, they are still using the same supply chain for the next fifteen years.
Be sure to use a high quality hex head wrench that fits nice and tight. After the penetrating oil soak, try to loosen but if it does not give way pretty easy, try to lightly but firmly tap the bolt head with a small hammer then try to loosen, or if that doesn't free the bolt head up another alternative is to briefly heat the bolt with a small torch to un-stick it.
Yes, they are metric...I think the only thing non-metric on our cars is the spark plug socket.
my preference is the 3/8in socket type. They are Pittsburgh HF brand. I have found them to be very accurate and strong enough for this type of work...most of us don’t turn wrenches for a living so these cheaper tools will generally do the job.
anytime you do a job, reward yourself with a new tool using the money you just saved...soon you will have an awesome toolbox!
09-03-18, 08:01 PM
Stripped Bolt Head; Pie Purgatory!
