Stripped CV Bolt Removal

[jbrand540]

I am in the process of replacing one of my CV boots and two of the bolts are stripped. I have tried clamping vice grips to them but they just spin on the bolt head. I am thinking of grinding off the head of the bolt butr cannot remember if the CV joint will slide free on the axle far enough for me to slide it over the bolt after I have done this. Any ideas to try are appreciated.

[rusnak]

I assume you are talking about the inner cv joint? If you are going to replace the boots, then you might be throwing out the flange right? Are you re-using the boot flange, and if so, you might try a bolt extractor. You might also try to cut a slot in the bolt head for a screwdriver. I think my preferred route first of all would be to try some PB Blaster, use a good pair of Vice Grips (the ones made by Irwin Industrial Tools), and make sure that you face the vice grips in the right direction so that they get good bite into the bolt head (they are directional).

[Fritz Peyerl]

can you try a stud removing tool. Sears has a set which might work or you can try the excentric style. If you have a mig welder, weld on a piece of flat bar and try to brake it loose


fritz

[LuftWaffle]

A small pipe wrench has bailed my butt out on CV bolts that have resisted other techniques. Make sure you use one small enough to swing under there and new enough that the teeth on the jaws are nice and sharp. Laugh/scorn if you must.

John

[PCA7GGR]

air chisel

[jbrand540]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try a fresh pipe wrench with some good teeth on it as mine are a bit worn and also pick up an easy-out. Not sure if I have enough room to work with a drill in there but its worth a shot.

[Joe Bob]

I've actually got them loose with a set of vice grips....once cracked they back out pretty easily.

[JP911]

Been through this myself, and it sux. The solution is the Craftsman bolt/nut removers. Pick the one size slightly larger than the head of the bolt then hammer it on so the teeth bite into the bolt. You then use an SAE socket (3/4 I think) to remove the bolt. It's a great solution.

[dsintrepid]

I just did this & had the same problem with getting vice grips to hold. I was replacing the flange so I just ground of the head, pulled the joint off & then the bolt came out with my fingers.

[vash]

jp's method works great. it works so well, and is so easy, you actually laugh when you strip a fastener. "haha, funny, silly stipped allen! hahaha, where is my bolt out?"

they actually remove them easier than the allens. try it

[jbrand540]

I finally had the opportunity to stop by Sears and pick up the Bolt extractors. I can get them hammered in pretty far but as soon as I start putting some leverage on it to back it out with a socket they break free. If I cut the head off the bolt will I be able to move the CV joint far enough to get it over the bolt shaft? I do not want to have to remove the entire axle from the vehicle.

[911quest]

Another cheap trick is take a 12 pt 11 mm socket and smack it over the bolt then unloose.

['78 SC]

I used a dremel to cut the head off (left a thin layer to avoid messing up the flange). Like dsintrepid said, the bolt easily unscrewed once the tension was released.

The Bolt Extractors have worked well for other bolts, but I always use an air wrench to get maximum torque without levering it sideways.

[jbrand540]

The socket idea almost worked but then it began slipping around the head. Cannot get a small socket on there either. Guess I am at the dremel to cut off.

Will I be able to slip the joint over the bolt shaft iff i cut off the head and cannot get a grip on it to back it out?

[Monza_dh]

I stripped one when doing mine as well. Have you soaked the inner end with PB Blaster and or Liquid Wrench? I waited about a week and sprayed it every night and it made a huge diifference. All I needed at theat point was channel locks and a few bloody knuckles

[rusnak]

The bolt extractor should not come out. You use the drill end to drill a hole, then you flip it around and (with left hand threads), reverse the drill and it tightens into the bolt. No way it's going to come out.

[dsintrepid]

Originally Posted by jbrand540

The socket idea almost worked but then it began slipping around the head. Cannot get a small socket on there either. Guess I am at the dremel to cut off.

Will I be able to slip the joint over the bolt shaft iff i cut off the head and cannot get a grip on it to back it out?

No, I had to remove the entire axle, however that was my plan all along. Not a big deal to do - remove axle nut & lower shock bolt and it will come out easy.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by JP911

Been through this myself, and it sux. The solution is the Craftsman bolt/nut removers. It's a great solution.

+1 I wish they had these when I was younger, they do work.

[jbrand540]

The only reason I am worried about removing the entire axle is 339lb torque on the outer axle nut. How hard is it to typically remove this and how do you re-torque it to 339?

[dsintrepid]

I used an impact gun to remove & reinstall it.