rounded off 10mm bolt extraction help

[efiste2]

I have been trying to remove the 10mm bolts that hold the clutch pressure plate to the flywheel of my project car, but they were pretty rounded before i started, has anyone got any suggestions to help me, i have tried blt extractors but they dont seem to grip as much as i need to undo the bolts, and with the the offending items being only 10mm the drilling and stud extracting method is limited, and obviousley these little buggers are really tight

 

[Watchmaker]

The experts, no doubt, will advise more precise methods but, if you have a collection of sockets, sometimes, with a little filing of the bolt head, a smaller socket can be forced on. I find that somewhere in my collection of old imperial sockets, there will usually be a suitable size for metric bolts and, vice versa. The hammering on, of a tight socket, will assist in freeing up the tight bolt thread.

 

[doyle]

dont trim it down it doesnt work.......get a pair of plumbers grips idela for gripping rounded off joints and proberbly bolts too.

if to tuff to turn improvise and hammer grips to ease it free rather than one big turn

 

[naebothernoo]

a bit drastic but if it's the only way, you could grind the heads off and once the pressure plate is out of the way the studs remaining will come out with a stud remover, ONLY DO THIS AS A LAST RESORT.

 

[shayne]

try using a slightly smaller socket.. maybe if you can use oxy acetleen to warn the stud helps undo by expanding metal..also try a good old whack with the happer to loosen the locktight,,
shay

 

[^neo^]

a bit drastic but if it's the only way, you could grind the heads off and once the pressure plate is out of the way the studs remaining will come out with a stud remover, ONLY DO THIS AS A LAST RESORT.

That would be my first thing to try
Once the pressure is off of the pressure plate you'll be able to undo them with your fingers

 

[stuartinlancashire]

Igot a pair of JML spanners from woolies recently, they will grip rounded nuts and are supposed to be better than most sockets as they grip the flat of the nut rather than the corners.

 

[Hitachimad]

Cant put a price on quality tools!

A pair of vice grips.

 

[Trazor]

I have a multi-socket, which comprises of square rods inside the socket, which are spring loaded.
When you press this socket onto any shape, the rods retract where they touch the shape, and the remaining rods grip on the outside of the shape.
Provided the shape is not round, it is very effective.
I have filed a flat onto studs, which are then easily removed.

 

[JonB]

If the heads are nackard try tapping with a small chisel, thats what proper Fitters would do.

 

[doyle]

whats a proper fitter

 

[Trazor]

whats a proper fitter

Apparently,someone who uses a hammer and chisel.........

 

[therev]

oxy acetylene torch and good quality mole grips. failing that soak them in wd40 and try an easy out.

 

[JohnD]

easy out.

Nooooooo! they're the work of the devil!

 

[Stivino]

I agree with JohnD and ^neo^. I'd like to see it before deciding but, I think the choices would be (in no particular order without seeing it)
1. Weld a nut or bolt onto the existing ones.
2. Grind the heads off them like ^neo^ says.