Re: Damaged Bolt Extraction

"Steve W." wrote:
> 
> Paul Hovnanian P.E. wrote:
> > 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?
> >
> >
> 
> Sears has them. As do many of the better parts stores. I have a set from
> Irwin and they do a good job. I have used them with a LOT more than 75
> ft-lbs on the drive.

I picked up a set at Sears. They worked quite nicely.

The tip (which I figured out) to using these is to tap them on to the
bolt head gently with a plastic mallet to get all the teeth to bite
evenly. When I tried starting the socket by turning it, the asymmetrical
damage caused it to bite unevenly and slip off. The mallet trick fixed
that. 

I'm not certain what the thinking was, but these bolts have very short
heads. Any misalignment with a socket (mine are 6-point) and it doesn't
have enough bolt head to bite on anymore. 
 
> --
> Steve W.

-- 
Paul Hovnanian     mailto:Paul@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 bet the human brain is a kludge. -- Marvin Minsky