removing rounded CV bolts
 

What is the best way to remove CV bolts when the socket head has been rounded out?

On person has told me weld a sacrificial #6 allen wrench?

Vise grips are not working.

Thank you.

If vice grips don't get it, use a Dremel to cut a slot in the head and use a big monster screwdriver. If that doesn't get it just cut the head off with a Dremel.

Thanks. I'll try both. I didn't think of the "slot" thing. I have an impact screwdriver that might help. Of course it's off the car to make it more difficult to hold the axles.

That would be an after pot of coffee task...

I used vice grips on one occasion. For the really tough one, I had an impact hammer and was hitting it at an angle to get it to rotate.

What a pain. Who ever installed these must have put them in with an impact. There are four total. One on the trans side the other on the trailing arm.

Here is the link to where I asked the same question last fall...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/626404-stripped-10mm-cv-joint-bolt-question.html

I ended up using the dremel and a reinforced cutting disc. after the cap screw head popped off, everything came out easily.

Good luck

mark

I like to use a product called Screw Grab whenever I think that the fit is too loose between allen wrench and head. It feels like valve grinding compound but way coarser.

Saves many headaches beforehand. Was doubting its ability till I tried it.

I've used that stuff and it's great for phillips head screws, but this is beyond that.

air chisel?

One simple tip:

If it is the last bolt, put a few of the other bolts back in so there is less pressure on the stripped bolt.

I ended up cutting off the heads with a die grinder fitted with a thin cut off wheel. Took about 15 min to get them all off. The studs (left over bolt) just spun right out by hand. The heating and cooling must have loosened them.

Thanks for the help.

I've wrestled with a few of those. If you catch them early enough - like the allen wrench just doesn't feel solid, you can put a small piece of aluminum foil over the hole and tap the allen wrench in. You may get enough bite to crack it loose.

For Future Reference...

1st thing - smack it straight on a good ringing blow with a steel hammer, then try

2nd - if that does not work, then heat it with a torch, then try (crazed PO may have used red Locktite or something stoopid instead of following the correct installation procedures)

afterwards, try the above, remember: Impact is your Friend

Always:
1. be sure the bit is nice & sharp, so dress it on a grinding wheel and inspect carefully
2. clean the "female" wrenching fixture on the Allen head cap screw out carefully with a pick and/or Q-tips

I recently bought a set of these:

http://www.biltema.se/ProductImages/.../19-1269_l.jpg

Smack them on any damaged nut with a hammer and they will take anything of, I bet they would work on allan bolt also.
Love them!

Just recently did my CV boots and I didn't even take a chance I replaced all 12 bolts upon reassembly, for the under $24 expense the next time I did it, I wanted fresh heads.

You know I have some of those nut removers and I didn't even try them.

I like the alum foil idea. Hopefully, I will never have to try it.

Funny on replacing them, I almost never reuse those. I fortunately found that I purchased a huge quantity of them in a purchase of hardware from a place closing down. 12.9 hardness. They will work.

Cut off wheel and/or chisel. I usually cut as much as I can then chisel the rest. Relatively easy and quick. Be careful not to cut into the CV.

Had to do it the other day on a 70 914/6 nothing worked had to use a torch to cut the head off.

+1000..these make the issue a non-issue. you will literally be giggling as they come loose. buy them.

Had a set of those which were stolen from garage, along with about $3,000 worth of other tools. It's those lilttle things that you forget got stolen till something like this comes up and you look and look then it hits you...damn, one more thing I'll have to buy TWICE!