Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-11-2003, 07:42 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 90
Stripped Bolt--HELP!

Need help removing a stripped bolt. Any ideas, experiences, tools, etc??

The bolt secures the coil pack to one of my spark plugs and it is totally stripped. It's kind of in a tight place, not a straight shot (partly the reason why I probably stripped it in the first place). Plus the fuel line is partially in the way, which is not removable or bendable.

__________________
1997 E420
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-11-2003, 11:17 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,473
A picture would really help =)
__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-11-2003, 11:50 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Dallas
Posts: 330
What size is the bolt? Could you drill it out the head then stuff an old allen wrench in the drill hole to unscrew?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-12-2003, 08:46 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
I recently bought a dremel with cutoff wheel and grinding attachments mainly for this purpose. I think it's sometimes the least traumatic way to approach this problem. Just keep abrading the head until it's gone.

Like Austin said, a picture would really help. There are many approaches to such a problem. It's a matter of picking the best one for the circumstances.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-12-2003, 12:39 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 90
i'll post a pic tonite after i get home...thx
__________________
1997 E420
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-12-2003, 01:02 PM
DR.DIESEL's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Puget Sound, Washington St.
Posts: 522
Wink Whack it!

If it is one of the small allen drive bolts (5mm) that secure your coils down, if you can, get a 12pt 9mm socket and hammer it down over the old stripped bolt. Works like a charm everytime.
Just make sure you use a 12 point socket. At Sears they are around 4-5 bucks. loosen your 2 fuel lines up with 17mm wrench
if needed to access.
Good luck
DR.D
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-12-2003, 01:03 PM
csnow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,127
Vise-grips would be my first attempt. They even make ones with 'v-shaped' jaws that are particularly good for this purpose. The needle-nose ones are good for tight access.

Sometimes you can drive a tight-fitting 12 point socket on a stripped head and get some bite. Sears and others sell a set of sockets that have essentially left handed 'threads' inside just for this purpose, though I have not tried them yet.

You can also use a Dremel or a file to grind 2 sides flat on the head to receive a wrench, or a slot in the middle to receive a flat-headed screwdriver.

Larger bolts can sometimes be removed with a chisel (use chisel to 'dig' a slot on the side of the head, then change angle to force rotation)

Best of luck.
__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-18-2003, 06:16 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 90


as you can see from the pictures, the top bolt is removed, no problem. the bottom bolt is the stripped one, but it's covered up by the black cloth wire (i had to re-install the coil pack in order to drive the car).

notice the bad angle and the tight space. i don't think the hammering idea is suitable here since i don't have a direct shot at it due to the bad angle and the fuel line (i prefer not removing the fuel line).

i guess i can try filing/dremel 2 sides flat. then use a long needle nosed shaped vice grip (do they sell those?) to grip and hopefully twist loose the bolt...any other ideas?

thanks.
__________________
1997 E420
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-18-2003, 07:25 PM
engatwork's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
Posts: 13,647
I'd drill out the head until it fell off and them remove the coil. Once the coil is out of the way and the load is off of the fastener it should be pretty easy to turn out.
__________________
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-18-2003, 09:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Great White North!!!!
Posts: 400
if you're using the dremel

see if you can cut a slot in the head first.i would think a screwdriver would get in there easier than needle nose pliers.make the slot tight.you could even use a ratchet with the proper slot extension.can you put some fluid to loosen it up prior?
__________________
'95 s500 (bought for wife but can't bear to share!!!) 125kms
'92 legend 180kms
'88 tbirdturbo(fantastic car-only regular maint.)120kms
'87 mustang gt(gone)
'86 tbirdturbo(gone)
'85 mustang gt(gone-but not forgotten)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-19-2003, 09:03 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
FWIW, I dealt with an intake bolt (allen socket head) that I later understood was overtorqued at the factory. A dremelled slot and impact screwdriver could not budge the bolt. Once I carved the head off the bolt, the bolt easily unscrewed by hand. Let's hope this is your case and not corrosion or galling.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-19-2003, 10:45 AM
tvpierce's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 612
It doesn't look like you could get a dremel tool in there at the proper angle.

I would try the 12-point socket suggestion first because it's easiest. And if it doesn't work, then drilling it out definately will.

My 2-cents. (Arguably worth that.)

Jeff Pierce
__________________
Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-19-2003, 12:53 PM
csnow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,127
Tough position.

I assume it is a hollow key bolt. Ideally, you would use something like this on the inside:

Link to tool

Or something like this on the outside:

Link to tool
__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-19-2003, 01:56 PM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
Wonderful Link!

I didn't know such tools existed! Now I know what to ask for next Christmas!
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-19-2003, 03:51 PM
Early Bird's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 210
Be sure you use Anti-seize lube on threads of bolts going into aluminum to prevent this from happening again..........

__________________
Rich

1990 300CE
71 Chevelle SS 454
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page