Stripped front diff bolt (Hex Head)
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 365
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From: Round Rock, TX
Stripped front diff bolt (Hex Head)
Hey guys,
I was getting around to changing the front diff fluid following ball joint/seal/hub/bearing replacement this past weekend. I took off all the 9/16ths bolts, however I discovered that the Hex (female) bolt was striped. I was wondering how you guys would go about extracting it?
I hate to say it but I was thinking I could just put some vice grips around the head and get it out. Thoughts? Since it's a keyed female bolt doesn't this make usual extraction methods difficult?
I was getting around to changing the front diff fluid following ball joint/seal/hub/bearing replacement this past weekend. I took off all the 9/16ths bolts, however I discovered that the Hex (female) bolt was striped. I was wondering how you guys would go about extracting it?
I hate to say it but I was thinking I could just put some vice grips around the head and get it out. Thoughts? Since it's a keyed female bolt doesn't this make usual extraction methods difficult?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I assume you are saying the hex socket is rounded out, not a problem with the threads.
First thing to do is try a fresh sharp allen wrench. I've even taken a cut-off wheel and shortened up an allen wrench to get to fresh hex stock. Just be careful to not over heat it. Then tap it into the bolt head to be sure it is seated as deeply as possible.
If that doesn't work, no reason not to try vise grips. You're going to need a new bolt anyway.
You can also sometimes weld a nut to any stripped bolt and use a wrench, but that may not be possible for you.
Worst case it you destroy the head and have to cut it off. Then it's just a thread extraction job like any other. Allen cap bolts are usually the equivalent of a grade 8 bolt. Hard to drill, but definitely doable.
Thought of another possiblitly. Use a cut-off wheel to grind two parallel flats on the head. Then try a crescent wrench or vise grips.
First thing to do is try a fresh sharp allen wrench. I've even taken a cut-off wheel and shortened up an allen wrench to get to fresh hex stock. Just be careful to not over heat it. Then tap it into the bolt head to be sure it is seated as deeply as possible.
If that doesn't work, no reason not to try vise grips. You're going to need a new bolt anyway.
You can also sometimes weld a nut to any stripped bolt and use a wrench, but that may not be possible for you.
Worst case it you destroy the head and have to cut it off. Then it's just a thread extraction job like any other. Allen cap bolts are usually the equivalent of a grade 8 bolt. Hard to drill, but definitely doable.
Thought of another possiblitly. Use a cut-off wheel to grind two parallel flats on the head. Then try a crescent wrench or vise grips.
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R23DRVR
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Mar 30, 2014 07:17 AM
