pesky bolts how to remove?
 

Trying to remove the overhead cam 8 mm hex bolts of a 380 sl, the top row will not budge, bolts hex are starting to loose edges. Any ideas on how to get this monsters off? May have to remove the fuel injector rail and the intake in order to approach them from the side with a vise grip, but rather not. :(

theres always a solution to pesky nuts & bolts..
Are they allen head or regular 6pt?

make sure the allen is seated-

I'd hit my allen socket with a hammer(assuming it is clean). Hiting it quite hard will help break the set. Not a continuious beating of frustration- just one solid hit of "judicious force". You need to make sure your not twisting it out. You need to hold the racket at the pivot and at the handle. I've always heard pucking the socket up with valve grinding compound helps.
Use a high-quality allen socket. Absolute best would be to use a stahlwille.

And make sure you use new ones when reassembling!
If you strip a 6 point allen, you can ussually beat a 12 pointed star into it for removal.

Michael

I had a problem with some allen head bolts recently and went to sears and bought a bolt remover set that they sell.
I can't remember what they call it but it fits on the outside of the bolt head and as you loosen the bolt it tightens itself on the outside of the head. Worked really well.
This was the head bolts on my 300se and it took quite alot of force to loosen them and it stood up quite well and were'nt expensive.

Thanks guys, went to Sears and bought a rotohammer but it failed to loosen them up, now I have a hex bolt that is no longer a 8mm, rounded off inside.

Does the bolt remover jeffoc mentioned works on hex bolts, they are smooth on the outside, I can't imagine a tool that works in such a way. Let me know what the tool is called if you remember.

I may have to try the 12 point star hammering to fit approach that samiam4 mentioned. I was thinking about hammering a 9mm hex but that is pretty impossible.

Thanks

You just get the right size bolt out and tap it over the round allen head and remove. You might consider using an impact to loosen it.

Sorry Ron, I don't follow you. The right size bolt out, do you mean a socket and pound it on to the round outside of the hex bolt?
Thanks

I suspect he's talking about these: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&pid=00952162000&bidsite=&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

http://content.sears.com/data/produc...162000-190.jpg

If you can get one of these on the head of the bolt, the left-hand grooves will bite in as you turn it. Worth their weight in dope when you have a situation.

Now I get it, i'll go get a set and try it. A picture is worth 1000 words.
:sun_smile

Juan,

Check out the pictures below. I think you'll get the idea how they work.

Nifty idea. Thanks Ron. :)

Yes those are the ones. Sorry I did'nt answer. Busy night last night, no time to check back.

Bought the set but once you set the tool over the bolt there is no room for the wrench to turn the tool. Very tight fit around the pedestals holding down the overhead cam :mad:

Drill the head of the socket bolt off.


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try a good penetrant like PB Blaster or Kroil, let is soak in for a while.