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Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:42 pm
by snoopy89
Yep. Not one but two of the little buggers!

Anyone know the proper way round this problem?

Going to just cut a slot into it with an angle grinder, and screw it out with a big flat head. Only problem is that its the disk bolts on the front wheel, and I'm not sure I'll be able to get at it without wrecking the disc. Won't know 'till I get my grinder back in the morning.

Any ideas?

Cheers.
A.

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:08 pm
by Jon
If you have a mig welder easiest way is to weld an oversize nut onto the head, make sure you put the earth on the nut so you dont wreck your wheel bearings.

Failing that drill the head off and remove with vice grips after you have the disc off.

regards
jon

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:13 pm
by snoopy89
Cheers Jon.

No welder, but its a cracking idea. Will hack the crap out of it in the morning with the angle grinder.

Thanks.
A.

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:51 pm
by theonefromthesky
Just seen this here so thought I woudl add my reply to this thread too, I added this to the original thread in the workshop section
Use an old Torx (star shape) socket thats just a little bigger than the allen fastner you have rounded and knock it in the hole with a hammer , then undo as normal. Its a bit "belt and braces" way out but 9 times out of 10 works for me on old bolts! Hence I allways keep a set of old Torx sockets handy! in the event that this fails, just get a 7mm drill bit and drill the heads off, chances are the threads arn't too tight and you can use a pair of mole grips to remove the remaining peice of stud.

Dont forget that a gentle appication of directed heat will almost allways help, a gas soldering iron with a flame tip is handy for small fastners or a propane/acetylene torch for the big stuff.

Jody

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:52 pm
by Neosophist
i've used a dremel to cut a disc bolt out before too...

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:46 am
by viper_biker
Hey snoops, good to see you back. I'd go with the torx first and if no luck then a dremel rather than a grinder as it'll be a more delicate job.

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:31 am
by snoopy89
Cheers for the help people.

Ta Jody, I like the idea of the torx bit. Means I get to hit things with hammers! Love it! Will try that anyway just for the hell of it. Dremmel is also good.

What about ye, V_B? It's nice to be back. Not had much time for the bike in the last two years or so, Mrs Snoopy and I had a baby girl in 2007, so she has taken up pretty much all of my time. Heading back to work full time in the next month or two, hence the big push on bike maintenance.

I see a few of the old N.I. heads about on the forum still, will have to try and get along to the next meet.

All the best.
A.

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:31 am
by Marb
Plenty of heat. Loctite disolves with heat, making it much easier to free. Also the alu will expand fast than the steel bolt, freeing up space.

HEAT AND HAMERS! :)

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:35 am
by viper_biker
Yeah, we're all still here matey and all still have our 400's. It's like a really bad rash that you can't shift LOL I think a Dyno day shootout or the likes might be in order or maybe another trackday meet but that'll be in the summer for me. Hang around and get the drinks in fella ;)

Re: Help to remove knackered allen bolts.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:33 pm
by NC35
snoopy89 wrote:Anyone know the proper way round this problem?
Try this - http://mototuneusa.com/allen_bolt_nightmare.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;