Stripped/Mangled Allen Key Head
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
Likes: 18,082
From: san diego
if you can hit the top of the bolt with a hammer first, a couple sharp blows, it helps to break away the threads from the piece its in, then I would use the chisel against the side of the allen and unscrew it. once it breaks loose it will most likely finger out, unless it was locktighted in, in which case pliers or vice grips should twist it out.
on the hammer hits you can use a drift, to get on it. I use a brass drift to hit mine, but that is to save the head, you've let that ship sail
on the hammer hits you can use a drift, to get on it. I use a brass drift to hit mine, but that is to save the head, you've let that ship sail
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: La Verne, Ca
If you mangled it with the correct allen wrench, an easy-out alone is not going to do it. It's too tight and the easy-out will just break off in the bolt. You need to break it loose and heat is your best bet. Heat it and try moving it in both directions to work it loose.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 129
Likes: 8
From: Norfolk
I've had no luck with any of the methods described. Other than cutting the head off of the bolt, it seems like i'm out of options. As i said before, the hypercharger makes it impossible to get any kind of socket onto the bolt. I'm not even sure I can get in there with a dremel to cut off the head of the bolt. I'm going to try heating it one more time, and using vise grips on the edge of the head. I don't know if the tip of my soldering iron is really making enough contact with the bolt to heat it thoroughly.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air, MD
All the metal is sucking the soldering iron heat up and dissipating it instantly, you may as well just be breathing on it. Your going to need some flame to heat it enough to make a difference, either that or stick everything into a big oven!
For instance red 271 loctite requires 282 degrees in order to loosen the product and you need to remove the nut while it is still hot. We use various loctites all the time on dental motors and to get them apart for repairs we have a few small ovens that we stick them into for several minutes before disassembling them.
For instance red 271 loctite requires 282 degrees in order to loosen the product and you need to remove the nut while it is still hot. We use various loctites all the time on dental motors and to get them apart for repairs we have a few small ovens that we stick them into for several minutes before disassembling them.
Last edited by 2ropes; May 8, 2013 at 01:31 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
I've had no luck with any of the methods described. Other than cutting the head off of the bolt, it seems like i'm out of options. As i said before, the hypercharger makes it impossible to get any kind of socket onto the bolt. I'm not even sure I can get in there with a dremel to cut off the head of the bolt. I'm going to try heating it one more time, and using vise grips on the edge of the head. I don't know if the tip of my soldering iron is really making enough contact with the bolt to heat it thoroughly.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
Before doing anything, I would soak in overnight with penetrating oil. And squirt some on every time you go out in the garage to cuss at it.
. . . and you might try riding it to get it hot.
. . . and you might try riding it to get it hot.
Last edited by mmcbeat; May 8, 2013 at 05:18 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 864
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From: Mt. Pleasant SC