How the hell is this going to come out?

[SuperRedMR2]

How the hell am I going to remove this bolt?

I've beaten the bracket down to allow more grip with the Mole Grips, but they just destroy the bolt

I was going to buy a set of rounded bolt removal sockets, but anyone got any more ideas?

It's the rear ARB bracket by the way.



Help!

[stenky]

nut extractor first (i personally have them and they are marvelous, where space permits) and then the good ol' electric drill

[SuperRedMR2]

It's not really nut shaped anymore, the material is falling apart if any pressure goes on it.

I don't want to be in a situation where I have to drill out an m10 bolt.

[kherseth]

if there is no heat sensitive parts close to it you could try heating it red hot, then while still warm use your mole grips to force it loose. It worked wonders on my Opel Omega exhaust.

[SuperRedMR2]

Yeah I was considering heating it red hot, then cooling it down quick and loosening it that way.

[scomr2]

Grind two new flats to give the mole grips or adjustable spanner a better chance of gripping.

Once it starts to move spray some lubricant in and alternate tighten / loosen to break up the rust.

Good luck!

[stenky]

Yeah I was considering heating it red hot, then cooling it down quick and loosening it that way.

this is what will make the steel brittle and it WILL snap if you happen to grip it and turn it

[pistol pete]

Yeah I was considering heating it red hot, then cooling it down quick and loosening it that way.

this is what will make the steel brittle and it WILL snap if you happen to grip it and turn it

shortly followed by lots of swearing as you have cracked your knuckles across something

[stenky]

when it comes down to heating, i would rather heat (not red hot) the surrounding material to achieve thermal expansion, which could relieve the tension in the thread.

and don't forget that bolt's flat head surface is easier to drill than after it snaps (actually it's impossible to hit the centre of the bolt after it snaps) i have tried it several times, always misaligned...

i personally managed to grip even the roundest bolt heads/nuts with the extractor set. as the helix in them is slightly conical and the helix edges fairly sharp, it will catch even on perfectly round bolt

[kaiowas]

How solid is the bracket? I'd be tempted to bend it down away from the chassis rail slightly then use a large universal adjuster to try and turn the bracket in the hope that the bolt goes with it

[jimi]

How solid is the bracket? I'd be tempted to bend it down away from the chassis rail slightly then use a large universal adjuster to try and turn the bracket in the hope that the bolt goes with it

Worth a try, give it a good few hours soak with Plus gas, then try the above.

I don't want to be in a situation where I have to drill out an m10 bolt.

If the above doesn't work then I think you are already there !
the "cut it off flush, centre punch and drill it out, starting small and working up" method may be your only option.

[SuperRedMR2]

There is a grommet next to the bolt, so i'm going to whip that off and spray penetrating oil all around the area in a hope that it soaks in.

I will end up buying the reversed sockets in a hope to get it out. Heat will be the final option.

I was tempted to hack saw the bracket off in an attempt to get some extra leverage on it.

Cheers

[jimi]

There is a grommet next to the bolt, so i'm going to whip that off and spray penetrating oil all around the area in a hope that it soaks in.

I'd recommend Plus Gas

[elbon50]

I have a very similar problem with one of the exhaust hanger bracket bolts Alex

Have removed the exhaust to get access

[MartG]

Mole Grips,

In that sort of situation a Stilsons wrench is much better than Mole Grips, as the harder you pull on them the tighter they grip

[SuperRedMR2]

Lack of room and the bracket being in the way is the problem for Stilsons, Mart.

[elbon50]

Have got my bolt out Alex

I have a set of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IRWIN-5PC-BOL ... 1c2e83e3d4

Worked a treat

[Paul Cyclops]

Have got my bolt out Alex

I have a set of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IRWIN-5PC-BOL ... 1c2e83e3d4

Worked a treat

I've got that particular set and they'll work on nuts that are practically cylindrical with a modest-sized breaker-bar. Not particularly cheap but an excellent product.

I bought them when I discovered that a previous 'technician' had ludicrously over-tightened the sump-plug on my Saab Turbo, a car I felt obliged to change the oil in every 3k.

[michaeljapp]

Do you have enough room to tac another head onto the bolt?
The heat from the welding breaks the rust seal in most cases.

[Toymad]

Another vote for those Irwin extractors, they can grip on some amazingly rounded bolt heads.