removal of stripped axle half shaft bolts?
 

The 12 point 10mm bolts holding my axle shaft to the rear end of my 190e are all completely stripped out ( my new 12 point bit spins by hand) so how do I get the bolts out? I don't think I can get a grinder in close enough and I would think the bolt heads are to tough to cut even if I could get a saw in there. Anyone had sucess removing these bolts?

Are these the Inset Bolt Heads?
 

Is there enough room to get a "Bolt Out" type socket on the OD of the head?

This is the TYPE of tool I'm talking about.

Craftsman Bolt-Out Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover Set Reviews - Craftsman Community

Answer
 

If that does not work.
Drill the heads off, and replace the screws.


.

Grind off the heads, pull the joint out enough to get a vicegrip on the now untensioned bolts.

Quick and easy bolt head removal.
 

Use one of these bits. They can be found in specialty fastener shops and some welding supply houses. I've destroyed the face of a MB ignition switch with them so I'm promise no bolt head will slow it down. Use a high speed drill and cover your eyes. The bits of metal are tiny almost a spray of glitter.

These grinding bits come in different sizes and shapes and with various shaft lengths. I paid $28 dollars for the first one I bought five or six years ago.

They are not as fast as a grinder and don't throw off sparks.

Cutting them is still gonna leave a loc-tite-ed bolt in the flange and you won't be able to move the axle the 3 inches outboard you'd need to get them off. Use the external type bolt extractor.

The easy way is the hard way , take it all apart.
 

Drop the diff with axles for better access and results. It is a lot of work but you will be able to get at everything much better. I have had my jollies with these bolts and ended up with a buggered up rotator cuff for more than 6 months. Cheers Dan

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm traveling this week but will sort out which to try soon.

if all else fails-

sawzall halfshaft or break out the gas axe (oxyacyletene), cut halfshaft in 1/2 (I guess make it a 1/4 shaft :) ) then remove c-clips from diff - problem solved.

You lose your core charge, that's it. Save hours of BS tho.

rjp