Stripped bolts!?!?!?

[rock-ice]

I recently replaced my brake pads, but was unable to remove one of the bolts on my front tire, to replace a pad, because frequent attempts stripped it. Are there any techniques I should know of that will help in getting it off? Any tools better than others? I was using one which uses the strenght of your arm to hold the vice on the bolt.
Thanks

[sub6]

Eeesh. Where do I start?

It sounds to me like you stripped the heads of the bolts, rather than the threads. Is that right?

One of the bolts on your "front tire"?? I take it you mean one of the bolts that holds the brake pad onto the caliper? What kind of brakes are you using?

The "one which uses the strenght of your arm to hold the vice on the bolt." That's a puzzler. Are you talking about a pair of pliers? A vise grip maybe??

If you're using one of those, you shouldn't. A lot of brake pads are held on with allen bolts, and you should be using an allen wrench (usually 5mm). Some of them also use a 10mm hex-head bolt, which you should use a 10mm box-end or open-end wrench on.

If you've rounded off the wrench flats by using pliers on the bolts, then you probably need new bolts. In order to get the bolt with the stripped head off, you may need to use a vise-grip (locking pliers). Squeeze it as tight as you can, and hope the jaws will have enough bite to undo the bolt.

In the future, only use wrenches on bolts. Don't ever use pliers. For anything.

[rock-ice]

I'm sorry I wasn't very clear. You are correct on all accounts I was using a vice grip, I did round out the bolt head and it is the bolt that keeps the pad in place. :rolleyes:

[rock-ice]

:stupid: well now I know
Anybody have any idea on how to solve the problem of the unremovable bolt?
Thanks

[A20mmqr]

Hey Rock,
Try using WD-40 or PB blaster penatrating oil. Let it soak in about 15 min. then try with the vice grips. If that doesnt work you might have to drill and use a easy out or retap it.

Guy.

[stringcheese]

Hey, I think I might have an idea. If you have something like a dremel tool, put the attachment on that is kinda like a rotating saw (the one used to cut nails and stuff). Saw in a line into the face of the bolt to make it like a flathead screw, get a big screwdriver and screw it out. If you don't have a dremel tool, just use a saw that is made to cut metal. Good luck!

[sub6]

Originally posted by rock-ice
:stupid: well now I know
Anybody have any idea on how to solve the problem of the unremovable bolt?
Thanks

I hope I didn't come across sounding like a dick in my first post:rolleyes:

Anyway, a Vise-Grip has a tremendous amount of locking potential. In my experience, it's possible to get one of those things to hold onto a completely round surface. You just have to squeeze the shiit out of it! It tends to work best with aluminum; which I doubt your bolts are, but still if you can clamp the daylights out of it, you should usually be able to get enough of a bite to undo it.

Failing that, I like the idea of cutting a slot into the bolt and backing it out with a screwdriver.

Also, penetrating oil or WD-40 are also remarkably effective. Let them sit and soak in, as Guy said. Just remember to clean your rim and brake pads afterwards, b/c any sort of oil or wd-40 is gonna shoot your braking power to hell.

[ohio]

Ditto the vice-grip. Unless it's a round head bolt, you should have NO PROBLEM clamping on a vice grip and loosing the bolt. Clamp it on wrench-style from the side, NOT screwdiver-style from the top.

If it's a round head bolt, you'll need a special drill bit just for this purpose, and a reversing power drill. The guy at the hardware store that sells it to you can explain exactly how it works, and it's pretty straight-forward once you see the bit in person.

[spincrazy]

Here's one for you guys

Stripped out crank bolts. Waddya think. Obviously need to replace em, but how to get em out. Couldn't even get the fackers all the way in:devil:

[sub6]

Originally posted by spincrazy
Here's one for you guys

Stripped out crank bolts. Waddya think. Obviously need to replace em, but how to get em out. Couldn't even get the fackers all the way in:devil:

OOh. You are screwed!:eek:

Did you strip the head, or the threads?

If it's the head, you might be able to take the next size up allen key, and cram it in there. Perhaps use an English one, rather than an 8mm. I don't remember what the closest English measurement is, but I'm sure that there's one that's a bit smaller and one that's a bit bigger.

You can also file down a bigger allen key to make it fit. Obviously, this ruins the key, but if you can't cram a bigger one in there, that may work.

Or, you may have to use one of those reverse-thread thingys. They work by you drilling a hole all the way thru the bolt. Then, you take the reverse-thread thingy, which looks a little like a drill bit. You put it in a reversable drill, and spin it up. It digs down into the bolt, and unthreads it. (that's what Ohio is talking about).

[the BIG cheese]

ive done it once but i dont know if it will work in this application...

if the bolt is not recessed/counter-sunk i take a hack saw and cut a sizeable slit in the top, nice and deep. then i use the biggest flathead screwdriverto torque it out. worked once for me. its worth a try:)

[KonaDude]

All good suggestions. Also you could use an Easy-out, available at most hardware stores.

If you spray it with anything, be sure not to get the oil, WD40, or anything on the brake rotor/pads (or rim/pads if you have rim brakes).