Rounded head bolt removal?

[KingKong8247]

Any tips on removing a bolt where the head is rounded? It's an exhaust mani bolt so there isn't much room to bang on another socket and turn or use vice grips.

I am thinking my only option is a bolt extractor socket type thing. Only I would like to finish tonight and I don't own a set of those.

Any tips?

[[sr20]sean]

torch.... burn the thing off

[KingKong8247]

Wish I had one.

[SovXietday]

If you can, cut it and replace the headstud.

[jesus_ralliart]

I think the bolt extractor type thing is ur best bet. There are a couple out there and some work better than others. Figure out what size it is and buy one... get a drill and just do it... should take a few seconds

I should also mention that it depends on the "quality" of the metal how easily/quickly u can drill into it.

[jpalamar]

**** ton of PB blaster then hammer the next size down socket on and hope for the best. I never had any luck with the bolt extracter kinda things.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Yep PB blasted and an easy out

[KingKong8247]

I ended up buying an Irwin (i think) extractor set from Home Depot. The bolt was a 12mm 12-point head and HD only had 11mm ones but it worked, pretty well too.

I couldn't hammer on the next size down because there was maybe 4 inches of room to work with haha.

But I was using the "Shock and awe" method with great success on all the bolts. Heat up the bolt to glow red, quickly cool it down with choice of penetrating oil or water, I used snow haha, tap with hammer, repeat.

Did that 2-3 times on each bolt and they came out relatively easy. This one was rounded off by previous owner and I didn't notice it until I was almost done with the rest of them.:mad: