Stripped flywheel bolt....help!

[ManaMan]

I dropped my motor and tranny today, everything was going smoothly using Wayne's book and the Porsche Manual. When it came time to remove the flywheel, I couldn't get the allen bolts to budge, probably have some red loctite on the threads. I was using a big breaker bar, my first allen head socket shattered. I then took out my 1/2" drive allen head impact sockets, and it started to twist, now it looks like a Xmas sugar can candy stripe.

So I have three allen head bolts, that are damaged on my flywheel. I have tried heating them up, tapping with a hammer, and still no luck. I tried using my impact gun 300# torque, and the bolt just laughed at me.

Any and all advice is welcome.

I'm hoping someone has a good idea here, and am ready to drill out the bolt heads. What worries me about drilling, is that I won't be able to twist out the remaining bolt with vise grips.

[rusnak]

I hope those are not reverse threads. You might try heat or PB Blaster.

[cgarr]

those should be the 12mm 12 point, same that is used on some American head bolts, but since your past that point, if it was me I would just weld something to the bolt and spin it out. Sounds like your not getting a good grip on it so the impact is pretty much useless.

[RWebb]

Heat with MAPP - not a propane torch - and get it HOT.

Try a new HIGH QUALITY XZN socket drive head. Snap-Off or better (Hazet, or other German -- NO cheap crap).

what manf. was the original drive head?

should be 1/2" drive & use a long bar

put it into the CLEAN cap screw head recess carefully and fully being SURE it is square and stays that way

push in a bit as you twist

can also cup the drive head's end just a tad on a grinder to make sure you get full seating

Good Luck

if that doesn't work then weld to the cap screw head as per above.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by cgarr

those should be the 12mm 12 point, same that is used on some American head bolts, but since your past that point, if it was me I would just weld something to the bolt and spin it out. Sounds like your not getting a good grip on it so the impact is pretty much useless.

Yea, those are not allens', without a 12 point or "cheese head" tool you waon't be getting them out.

[ManaMan]

Thanks for the tips....Welding a bolt head on should be tried first. I could go out and buy a small arc welder and try to do this. Do I cut off the bolt head right at the base? Any recommended size?

Drilling out the current bolt head is a bad idea?

I did buy a 12 point socket from our Host, but the previous owner had installed hex head bolts, so it's a mute point.

I took a look at the new flywheel bolts, and they are not reverse thread, so I'm assuming the same for the current bolts in the flywheel.

As for the socket that shattered, I bought it at the closest auto store...Napa. I did get a full refund.

Thanks again guys, you make this is a great community here.

[vash]

whoa! so they didnt snap off flush? if not, go to sears (everyone makes them now) and get those "bolt out" things. i have taken off some desperate fasteners with them. great tools, makes 95% of the buggers a no issue. i have even taken out small broken studs with them.

[ManaMan]

Does anyone know the temperature that red loctite degrades?

[javadog]

At this point, I'm going to recommend a different course of action than the rest of the herd. I'd suggest you have the bolts removed by an experienced mechanic, as there is a point you can reach here where the damage done to the bolts, by trying to remove them and failing, makes their subsequent removal exponentially harder and more expensive. This is one of those times where having the correct tools and a fair bit of experience can make a real difference.

JR

[David]

Stop! It sounds like it's time to hand this over to a shop. Unless you have a lot of welding experience, you're not going to be able to buy a welding machine and have a reasonable chance of welding on a nut and getting a bolt out. Sorry to be negative, but it sounds like you need to cut your losses.

[john walker's workshop]

tapping with a hammer won't get it. you wack them hard, directly on the head with a well aimed big mallet. then they will loosen.

[RWebb]

it is possible that the non-stock allen headed bolts may be part of the problem - who knows what grade they are

toss them all when done

A shop might be a good idea - it depends on what things look like and your ability, tools avail. & risk-aversion level

[ManaMan]

I made a call to a local machine shop, they will take a look at it on Monday.

[Nine9six]

Heat bolt head red hot with mapp or oxy/acy torch, and then wack the bold head with a heavy hammer/sledge per J. Walker. Use the proper high grade (not china) 12 pt tool and they will come out.

[AcidGypsy]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Heat with MAPP - not a propane torch - and get it HOT.

Try a new HIGH QUALITY XZN socket drive head. Snap-Off or better (Hazet, or other German -- NO cheap crap).

what manf. was the original drive head?

should be 1/2" drive & use a long bar

put it into the CLEAN cap screw head recess carefully and fully being SURE it is square and stays that way

push in a bit as you twist

can also cup the drive head's end just a tad on a grinder to make sure you get full seating

Good Luck

if that doesn't work then weld to the cap screw head as per above.

+1 for this older thread. Had 1 bolt that partially stripped (the others came out easily with no heat). Applied MAPP Torch for about 1.5mins & used the same good quality XZN Bit & it came out cleanly. Thanks to all who added to the discussion.

[David Inc.]

Older? A few more years and this thread can vote!

[47silver]

Get 2 ball peen hammers. Put the round end on the bolt and wack it hard with the other hammer. Force is directed into the bolt

[sparkysvega]

Way to leave us all hanging, I wonder if he ever got the bolts out ? ��

[Cairo94507]

They likely rusted out by now....