Stripped bolt frustration
Stage I
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
Dremel
I wasted about three hours with a stripped bolt. I finally borrowed a Dremel and cut a notch across the face of the bolt. I took a flat head screw driver and hit it with a hammer so it would rotate the bolt counter-clockwise. It came loose on right away. Thank you Dremel!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Brevard NC
I'll never forget I was going to restore a 56 Mercury, and was dismantling it. There were some mirrors on the fender that were held on to the bracket with a set screw. I went out every day and hit em with penetrating oil, and they wouldn't come loose. Then one day I remembered that sometimes if ya tighten the bolt first, it will break loose. I tried to tighten the bolt, and it came out like butter...They were left hand threads...lol
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I removed the factory torx bolts and replaced them with chrome allen bolts and washers because the first bolt I went to remove the head almost stripped out. I think the torx bolts are cheaper and faster to install at the factory. The chrome allen bolts look much better and come out easily.
Last edited by Lantern; Dec 8, 2013 at 06:29 PM.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I already bought the bolts for the derby & cam covers - those torx bolts suck...
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
They make an impact driver that you hit with a hammer to "shock" the screw, It puts an extreme amount of torque on the fastener almost immediately. Also you might try a Dewalt impact driver, or other make, to get it out. I once had an aluminum screw in a steel threaded hole that I had a b*tch of a time getting out. Put a staight screwdriver bit in my battery operated impact tool and it back oput just that easily. A little Nox-Ox when I reinstalled and all is well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,888
From: Newcastle, OK
It always seems to be more difficult to remove those screws than installing them. When I have trouble I use a hand impact driver with the torx bit. It works for me.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Alabama
My father n law had a tough time getting his off. He was actually replacing the cover and had to drill around the bolt through the cover and once he broke the cover off he removed the bolts with vise grips. His was factory and never been touched. I'm not sure if they didn't tap the holes right or used the wrong lock tight. But this sounds like a factory problem.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
You've received a ton of advice on undoing what's been done.
Looking forward so this doesn't happen again, someone suggested a torx screw driver since it will fit more snuggly than the typical shade tree mechanic's ratchet bit. I agree. But - I suggest doing a Google and buy the two most used torx bits but make sure they are made by Snap-on. This situation shouldn't happen again unless a torque wrench isn't used.
Looking forward so this doesn't happen again, someone suggested a torx screw driver since it will fit more snuggly than the typical shade tree mechanic's ratchet bit. I agree. But - I suggest doing a Google and buy the two most used torx bits but make sure they are made by Snap-on. This situation shouldn't happen again unless a torque wrench isn't used.
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