Removing a stripped torx bolt

[skiddy75]

a bit agricultural attitude on this thread. if the tool for the job dont work use a hammer

[Gurj51ngh]

just chisel the fu***r off and before you say you dont have a chisel use a screwdriver and if you dont have a hammer use a house brick

lovin it!! serious improvising!!

[Ucof]

MrMPuk - I would have done what you said, had I had the next size drill bit up. I seem to have lost my 7mm, 8mm and 9mm high speed drill bits

Paul1 - Yep, you are right, I do indeed need to buy a proper socket set. I've seen the one I want, however, its about £40 odd quid, and seeing as I don't even have the £6.99 to buy the bit extractor set mentioned earlier, I really don't have the £40. It's on my birthday list though I don't agree with you that the adjustable spanners are "a sure fire way of stripping the heads" - it worked for five of the six, I think it was an excellent way that worked with the tools I have. I'm fully aware that I need a bigger toolkit - I am only 22 after all and have never ever needed the amount of tools that I currently do. I can guarantee, however, my toolbox will be upgraded as soon as I have the cash!

Luke - that's exactly what I did in the end... well.. not with a screw driver and house brick! I used a hammer and chisel and a good whack. The head of the bolt came straight off and I removed the sliding rails, with a huge grin on my face!



Unfortunately the thread of the bolt is still stuck solidly in the hole. I'll be taking a drill to it once the battery has charged up again I've tried a centre punch, a flat head screw driver and a butane lighter so far, it will be out tonight

Thanks for all the help guys and girls, it is most appreciated!

[Luke]

glad its out we can all relax now

but seriously after a few years of working on transits a job like that will be a 2 min "not even think about it" job but we all have to start somewhere

[Ucof]

We do indeed all have to start somewhere.

I thank you all for your patience and advice

[shug]

Good to see you got there in the end, but for the next time it goes like this. Any bolt underneath is exposed to road dirt, so by loosening it you are actually tightening it unless you clean the threads off first. This is because fine grit(not superglue) gets caught up in the threads. If you however still get stuck, you can either,as suggested, weld to the bolt, or tou can grind off the head, get a mole grip,and loosen it from the thread side. It's always cheaper to get the right tool for the job, but never forget that a hammer or a bloody great stillson is sometimes the right tool.

[Ucof]

Thanks for the tips

I did try to clean up the thread from underneath, and gave it a good drenching in WD40, but it was still solid
I think we have a mole grip somewhere actually - i'll move it into the toolbox.

thanks again.

[intransit89]

i got a star bolt that rounded of so i got a grinder on it and made it so i could put the monkey wrench on it

[slow transit]

i got a star bolt that rounded of so i got a grinder on it and made it so i could put the monkey wrench on it

Did you spin on it then ?

[Gurj51ngh]

i got a star bolt that rounded of so i got a grinder on it and made it so i could put the monkey wrench on it

Did you spin on it then ?

ran out of wd40