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View Full Version : Stripped hex screw, what to do?

rugbysecondrow
09-06-2011, 02:28 PM
I am not as gentle as I ought to be or hex blots are softer, either way, I stripped one. Any trick to getting it out?

Thanks
AngryScientist
09-06-2011, 02:32 PM
either use an EZ-OUT bit, or cut a groove with a hacksaw blade and use a flat tipped screwdriver. penetrating oil will be your friend if the bolt is seized...
saab2000
09-06-2011, 02:41 PM
I have cut slots into the heads of allen bolts using a dremel tool.
old_fat_and_slow
09-06-2011, 02:42 PM
1.) Carefull drill out the center of the bolt. Start with a very small pilot hole and progress to larger diamer as required.

2.) Carefully insert EZ out.

http://www.matcotools.com/ProductImages/SE25.jpg


3.) Pop that mother f****r out of there.
buck-50
09-06-2011, 02:45 PM
Just be really, really, really careful with the easy out.

Best advice I heard (too late) was to not use a power drill.

I ended up ruining a nice nuovo record front derailleur that way.
AngryScientist
09-06-2011, 02:50 PM
yea, if you do use a power drill, only use one with very good variable speed control.
thwart
09-06-2011, 02:54 PM
If you're careful, and you're sure the thing is not rusted in, I've done the unthinkable and used a Torx bit to get 'em out.

Don't tell anybody.
David Kirk
09-06-2011, 03:10 PM
what bolt is it?

dave
rice rocket
09-06-2011, 03:11 PM
Step 4, throw away all your tools and don't buy cheap ones anymore. :)
rugbysecondrow
09-06-2011, 03:35 PM
Got it, apparently I hadn't cursed enough.

It was a hex screw for a dynamo light mount, the nut was a locking nut. The resistance from the locking nut was enough to cause the slippage that created the rounding.

I wd40'd the nut, and tried several angles with multiple vice grips to get enough grip that would allow me to back the nut off. I was able to litttle by little get it off. It is not replaced with a screw that takes phillips and standard screw bits and a regular nut...that should be sufficient for a 5 ounce light.

Thanks all.
old_fat_and_slow
09-06-2011, 04:21 PM
Cursing, pounding with a hammer, or using a 4-ft cheater bar works for 95% of all tough repair jobs.

Glad it worked for you too. :beer:
rice rocket
09-06-2011, 05:32 PM
WD-40 is pretty worthless as a penetrant. PB Blaster is probably the best off-the-shelf one you can get, Zep 45 is good but harder to find. Or you can mix ATF + Marvel Mystery Oil and get a really good penetrating oil.

If anyone's worked on pre-1995 cars in the Salt Belt, you'll probably know I'm talking about. ;)