Re: Damaged Bolt Extraction

"Paul Hovnanian P.E." <paul@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:481E7457.3A1D4DCC@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I'm in the process of pulling the drive plate off a vehicle to replace
> the rear main seal. In the process of loosening the 10 bolts, I managed
> to bugger up the heads on two of them. The socket I was using slipped
> off and rounded off a couple of shoulders on the bold head.
>
> When this happened, I stopped screwing with them in order to minimize
> further damage. There are several methods for removing such bolts. Prior
> to drilling and seriously messing around, I seem to recall some special
> damaged bolt sockets (with helical teeth in them). What are these
> called? Are they any good (the bolts are 14 mm, torque to 75 ft-lbs).
> Who would carry them in the Seattle area? Any tips when using these? Or
> other advice?

    Your idea should work--for an idea of the torque, lots of lug bolts
are 
more than 75 ft-lbs.--80, 90, 95 are a few common ones.  If you have an 
acetylene outfit and the surrounding metal/oil can accept it, the bolts
when 
heated red will screw out with vice grips.  Just another way to accomplish

the same thing.  When stranded, sometimes a metric sized socket which is a

tad too small can be driven onto the stripped bolt head and remove it. 
Six-point sockets may also help.  s