help with removing hex bolt
help with removing hex bolt
Author
Discussion

T333CAN

Original Poster:

75 posts

258 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Has anyone a clever tip for removing a small rounded out hex/allen key bolt from the steering wheel???

Thanks.

nrick

1,866 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
My advice would be to use a centre punch on the outside edge of the bolt. Use the punch to make a dent, then use the punch in the direction you want to go and it should free off, but the bolt won't be any use. Might be worth giving it a knock with an allen key socket to make sure it is loosened up.

There are a number of other options before you get the drill out (although to be honest it might be your best bet). Some people use masonry drills, you can try to epoxy a hex driver in, grinding a hex driver to put a burr on, and then knocking it in so the burr cuts into the screw. Could try a bigger driver, or a flat driver/socket.

If all else fails drill the head off, remove the steering wheel then use a pair of mole grips on the stud left.

Just thought you could grind down a left hand tap or easy out.

Hope that helps,

Neill

S7Paul

2,103 posts

263 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Two methods spring to mind:

1. Drill into the screw, then use a stud extractor (aka Easy-out). The drill size has to be chosen to suit the stud extractor (sorry if I'm telling you how to suck eggs).

2. Drill into the screw, gradually working your way up in diameter until the screw head comes off. Then, with the wheel removed, you should be able to wind out the threaded portion.

Good luck!


ETA: Looks like nrick & I were typing at the same time. The suggestion to use a punch is also perfectly valid, just be careful the punch doesn't slip & put a scratch across the wheel.

Edited by S7Paul on Tuesday 17th May 21:23

spend

12,581 posts

280 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Punch method would be a bit tricky on small (m5'ish) countersunk which I believe the OP is referring to.

Epoxy (+patience to harden) on as tight a key as possible would be my first stab. Centre drilling countersunks I find damages the other part before you can tap the head off anyway.

freddytin

1,184 posts

256 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Use a hammered home Torx bit. 9 times out of 10 this does the trick.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

268 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
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The moment you drill the head off the remaining threaded portion will be finger tight and will unscrew easily.

nrick

1,866 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
The moment you drill the head off the remaining threaded portion will be finger tight and will unscrew easily.
+1

nrick

1,866 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Another tip would be that the drill you should use should just go in the rounded off , that way it stays nice straight and true and the head should just pop off. 4.5/5mm should do the job smile

tvrbod

112 posts

210 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
freddytin said:
Use a hammered home Torx bit. 9 times out of 10 this does the trick.
+1

Session

252 posts

209 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Torx bit method, pretty much always works on a bolt that size/

sonnylad

1,165 posts

254 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
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If you go down the drilling route try and source a left handed drill bit, as this will possibly remove screw once it starts to bite in.

As long as your drill is reversible that is.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

268 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
I've never needed to do anything more than drill with a regular bit.

As it's m5x.8 you can use a drill between 4.2mm (which will clear the chord) up to 5.3 (clearance bit)


PoleDriver

29,586 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Is it completely round, or just worn in the 'undo' direction?
If there are any flats left try to tighten a little, this will break the seal and you should find it easier to loosen!

Bassfiend

5,530 posts

279 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
+1 for drilling it - that's what I do.

Phil

T333CAN

Original Poster:

75 posts

258 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Thanks very much for all your advice, I'll try the Torx option and if that fails drill it! Just don't want to damage the wheel!!

Cheers

nrick

1,866 posts

192 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
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Just take your time, all will be fine.

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

233 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
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If you remove the other 5 will the steering wheel rotate on the remaining bolt and loosen it or does the hub prevent that?

gtemkin

5 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
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I've had excellent success with a method that hasn't been mentioned - using coarse Valve lapping Paste in the driver recess. I work in manufacturing in the aerospace avionics industry and over many years I've had 100% success getting out stripped head screws. Works well with cross-recess (Phillips, Frearson, etc) screws and hex socket head screws. I've successfully taken out Phillips heads that an operator stripped the Phillips so that it just appeared to be a perfect countersink.

Here's what you do.

- Test a bunch of screw drivers or hex drivers as the case may be, to see which one seems to have the best fit with the least slippage. Use the best engaging driver you can find.

- Put a drop of Valve Lapping Paste (coarse) into the remnants of the screw. Doesn't take a lot and don't forget you'll eventually you'll have to clean off all remnants after your done.

- Engage your selected driver. For cross-reccess screws, you want to press down with all your might while turning the screw slowly. I can't emphasis enough the need to maintain a high downward force while turning - and turn very, very slowly. For a hex socket style driver, there's no need to press down, but you do want to press sideways so that a corner of the driver bites into a side wall. As with any removal, turn slowly.

The Silicon Carbide is made up of very hard and very sharp edged particles which do a fantastic job of coupling the driver with the screw. It's a great first try method and would enhance several of the suggestions already described.

Gregg
'74 2500M

gtemkin

5 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
I've had excellent success with a method that hasn't been mentioned - using coarse Valve lapping Paste in the driver recess. I work in manufacturing in the aerospace avionics industry and over many years I've had 100% success getting out stripped head screws. Works well with cross-recess (Phillips, Frearson, etc) screws and hex socket head screws. I've successfully taken out Phillips heads that an operator stripped the Phillips so that it just appeared to be a perfect countersink.

Here's what you do.

- Test a bunch of screw drivers or hex drivers as the case may be, to see which one seems to have the best fit with the least slippage. Use the best engaging driver you can find.

- Put a drop of Valve Lapping Paste (coarse) into the remnants of the screw. Doesn't take a lot and don't forget you'll eventually you'll have to clean off all remnants after your done.

- Engage your selected driver. For cross-reccess screws, you want to press down with all your might while turning the screw slowly. I can't emphasis enough the need to maintain a high downward force while turning - and turn very, very slowly. For a hex socket style driver, there's no need to press down, but you do want to press sideways so that a corner of the driver bites into a side wall. As with any removal, turn slowly.

The Silicon Carbide is made up of very hard and very sharp edged particles which do a fantastic job of coupling the driver with the screw. It's a great first try method and would enhance several of the suggestions already described.

Gregg
'74 2500M

BliarOut

72,863 posts

268 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Top tip, worth giving a try thumbup