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Help with rounded bolt

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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 07:37 PM
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Default Help with rounded bolt

Ugh...been trying to get my passenger-side rear caliper off and the two caliper bolts were looking pretty rounded. I tried a lot of Liquid Wrench and the 5/8 Craftsman wrench that's supposed to help with rounded bolts. Nothing but busted knuckles. You can't cut the bolt head off as the bolt would still be threaded into the back. Plus, I've got so much brake fluid and Liquid Wrench all over the parts that I don't want to use heat, either.

I was talking to my neighbor - who wrenches a lot on his car - and offered $100 if he could get them off. No take.

HELP!
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:40 PM
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If the bolts are accsessable enough then use a file or dremel grinder and put new flats on the bolts to get a six point socket on the bolts to loosen. Next size down English or metric doesn't matter.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:06 PM
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Make sure your wrenching the right bolts. It's kinda easy to get on the bolts holding the caliper halves together, rather than the mount bolts. I've done it, sure many others have too.
Other than that, a rounded-bolt extractor and an impact driver...
Carter
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:17 PM
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drill them out
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:32 PM
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I would try to clean up the oil and use heat.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by REELAV8R
If the bolts are accsessable enough then use a file or dremel grinder and put new flats on the bolts to get a six point socket on the bolts to loosen. Next size down English or metric doesn't matter.
with that one AND a lil heat. dremel preferably.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:47 PM
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How long did you let the penetrating oil work. A day or two can make a big difference. Soak it then drill it and use an easy out. I know, it's easy to say and hard to do.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Zorro O
How long did you let the penetrating oil work. A day or two can make a big difference. Soak it then drill it and use an easy out. I know, it's easy to say and hard to do.
No too long, just a couple of hours. I sprayed some more on and will let it soak overnight and then try tomorrow with an EZ out. Besides, my skinned knuckles could use the rest
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 10:26 PM
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I wouldn't worry about the fire from the oil. It will burn off, just keep a wet rag handy. That and an impact gun will free the bolt or break it. Either way you have removed the caliper...

Hitch
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 01:54 AM
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i have some irwin rounded bolt extractors hate to have to use them but they work good and about 50bucks a set...
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 03:34 AM
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I agree with fileing the head down just enough to hammer the next size smaller socket onto the bolt, this usually works for me. I've also used a hammer and chisel trying to hammer counter clock wise to get the bolt to spin. You could also try to easy out the bolt or reverse drill bit.
Good luck.

Last edited by bluedawg; Mar 30, 2013 at 12:19 PM.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by mengelstad
i have some irwin rounded bolt extractors hate to have to use them but they work good and about 50bucks a set...
I work for Irwin's sister company so I have access to all of their tools. These work very well and are pretty much like doing the Dremel trick and going with another socket. These bite into the head of the bolt and extract the bolt. Little pricey for a one time use but they work.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
I work for Irwin's sister company so I have access to all of their tools. These work very well and are pretty much like doing the Dremel trick and going with another socket. These bite into the head of the bolt and extract the bolt. Little pricey for a one time use but they work.
On a 37 year old car theres no such thing as a one time use.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 01:52 PM
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I would try a small pipe wrench. The harder you pull the tighter it grips. I think a wrench with strong sharp teeth would loosen a perfectly rounded bolt.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
I work for Irwin's sister company so I have access to all of their tools. These work very well and are pretty much like doing the Dremel trick and going with another socket. These bite into the head of the bolt and extract the bolt. Little pricey for a one time use but they work.
WOOHOO! Got 'em off. Used a lot of Liquid Wrench yesterday and let it work overnight and then bought the Irwin Bolt-Grip extractors. Hammered on the Irwin extractors and then used a whole lot of leverage and muscle.

Man, what a PITA...glad they're all off, now I can put on the new calipers and bolts.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 02:57 PM
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Success, very nice!!!

Rogman
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