Just one bolt - how hard can it be ?

[WokingWedger]

Replacing the slightly squeaky belt tensioner.

HOW TIGHT IS THAT BOLT !


Having a reduced height head on the bolt, a socket tends to twist off as the force is applied at a distance out from the head.

The corners of the head are now slightly rounded off.

I think I have one last chance, if I can find a 6 sided half inch flat ring spanner that can take a clout.

It is half inch isn't it ?

It is conventional rotation thread isn't it ?

I am reluctant to apply any serious heat due the proximity of hoses and the plastic pulley.

Any suggestions please ?

[ukdj]

How about something like this in the correct size?



or one of these in the correct size ?




Plenty of releasing fluid let it soak, quick tighten then attempt undoing it again.

[Aussie John]

If using a socket grind off the small shamfer on the inside of the socket and tap it on with a hammer.

[QBee]

My Halfords Pro socket set (Christmas pressie from myself) has six sided sockets in it

[jojackson4]

There the ones to use

[QBee]

My set is this one - presently, but not always, half price. To put it mildly, it's fking fantastic. Every tool you could need, and superb quality. The 6 sided (impact) sockets are metric, the smallest is 13mm.
The sockets with allan key heads, allowing you to undo allen key screws with a ratchet, are also brilliant for TVR owners

I imagine that Halfords might sell the sockets separately

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/...

[phillpot]

Aussie John said:

If using a socket grind off the small shamfer on the inside of the socket and tap it on with a hammer.

You want to get rid of this bit, so face it flat, to get max contact between socket and chewed up bolt head





Those engines being of American origin were originally imperial threads but I believe a lot of the Rover upgrades over the years use metric threads so could be 13mm but a 1/2" AF would be a nice tight fit.

I wouldn't go anywhere near it with a brake pipe spanner or crows foot socket!


My guess would be it is just very tight, not seized, so release fluid (even if you can get it anywhere near the thread) will have little effect.


Pop it round here, i'll have it out quicker than you can get the tenner out your pocket to say thanks

[davettf2]

Hi, I have a 'grip tight' set which use the flat of the nut not the corner, if you are near Woking 'PM' me as I work close by. You are welcome to borrow, regards dave

[Pupp]

Stilsons - followed by new bolt

Better still, followed by JE alternator bracket

[jojackson4]

24/36"

[Alexdaredevils]

Pupp said:

Stilsons - followed by new bolt

Better still, followed by JE alternator bracket

Nothing beats stilsons and heat

[Pupp]

Alexdaredevils said:

Pupp said:

Stilsons - followed by new bolt

Better still, followed by JE alternator bracket

Nothing beats stilsons and heat

Someone will suggest crimping it out in a bit...

[seeby]

QBee said:

My set is this one - presently, but not always, half price. To put it mildly, it's fking fantastic. Every tool you could need, and superb quality. The 6 sided (impact) sockets are metric, the smallest is 13mm.
The sockets with allan key heads, allowing you to undo allen key screws with a ratchet, are also brilliant for TVR owners



http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/...

I treated myself to one of those sets about 3 years ago when they were 200 quid and Halfords had half price sale .100 quid best bargain ever

[QBee]

seeby said:

treated myself to one of those sets about 3 years ago when they were 200 quid and Halfords had half price sale .100 quid best bargain ever

Shhhhh - I got mine for £100 too, when Halfords emailed me with an extra £25-off online offer just before Christmas. All I could expect from the people to whom i am related by marriage was socks or DVDs (I do wear socks, I DON'T own a DVD player), so i thought "bugger it" and treated myself to a proper present.

But having owned it for a couple of months now and seen it back at £250 for most of that time, even £125 is a damn good price.

[Trevor450]

Ordered - that's excellent value.

[Alexdaredevils]

Lefty loosie righty tighty

[QBee]

Trevor450 said:

Ordered - that's excellent value.

You won't be disappointed - they sell just the 9 ratchet ring spanners in that set for £80.......and I checked, they are the same sizes and identical, including the lifetime guarantee

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/...

[zed4]

QBee said:

My set is this one - presently, but not always, half price. To put it mildly, it's fking fantastic. Every tool you could need, and superb quality. The 6 sided (impact) sockets are metric, the smallest is 13mm.
The sockets with allan key heads, allowing you to undo allen key screws with a ratchet, are also brilliant for TVR owners

I imagine that Halfords might sell the sockets separately

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/...

I have that exact set too. Absolutely brilliant.

[WokingWedger]

Thanks everybody

Mike thanks for reminding me about grinding of the taper. I have done that before and remembered the socket ( a long black one). Funny how you remember tools. I found it, but its a bit big.

I will try and buy a half inch and grind off the taper.

Dave, thanks for the offer of borrowing your socket. I don't like borrowing as I am paranoid about breaking something borrowed, but I will keep it in mind.

Stilsons are my last resort, as there is no going back once you have used Stilsons on a bolt.

Ideal would be a 6 sided ring spanner with no crank or handle angle.

I will up date you all.

Thanks for the interest and advise all.

[EddyP]

Where abouts are you based?

I've got numerous spanners/sockets that could make that job a lot easier, you'd be welcome to borrow one.