Solved-stuck Bolt-help

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Repooh, Jan 12, 2019.

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  1. Repooh

    Repooh Rarely Satisfied

    Jan 5, 2018
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    so a combo of over tightened, over blue Locktited and a cheap ali 5mm hex has left me with a bolt with a circular hole (no longer hex) can’t budge the bastard

    Dont have a workshop or welder or I’d weld a spanner to it, cant get wd40 in

    What to do chaps, dont want to drill as will knacker hole which is required
     
  2. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
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    More imfo please, does it get hot?
    Is it steel, stainless?
    Whats does it connect to? Steel/alloy.
    How long has it been in? Can you still ride the bike?
     
  3. Repooh

    Repooh Rarely Satisfied

    Jan 5, 2018
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    Thanks for you tips chaps

    Recon I’ll take it down to Andy @Bulldog I’m confident he has bailed our other fucking idiots before

    Its under the seat holding a Hepco & Becker C-Bow bracket on, I recall in my rush to fit it blobbing a ton of locktite on and Geoff Caping the bolt ( really need to buy a torque wrench)

    Lesson learned - reinforces the saying “enthusiasm doesn’t make up for experience “. I just made that up
     
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  4. Repooh

    Repooh Rarely Satisfied

    Jan 5, 2018
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    Screws into frame
    Alloy bolt maybe
    3 months

    Yep bike still servicable, taking off H&B C-Bow frame to fit pannier rails to see how Oxford Heritage panniers look
     
  5. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
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    #6 Sprinter, Jan 12, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
    Ok so dont mess it up too bad cos you still have the option of getting a welder or some heat on it. Be patient, If you can get something on to it, try working it 1mm tight 1mm slack no more than 20Nm at this stage.

    Try a different make / model of Hex key on it, do you have Imperial?
     
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  6. Rich Bryce

    Rich Bryce Dead Eye Dick

    Sep 18, 2015
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    I've got some superwrenches I picked up at the Bike Show that are supposed to be ideal for jobs like that. Various sizes, including a small one. About £50 the set of four on Ebay. You can always ride up to Woburn and borrow mine (give me notice to bring them in to work) if you don't want to buy any. Iirc Wayne @Havit has some and reckons they are excellent.
    Superwrench.jpg
     
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  7. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
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    Pick a suitable sized Torx key and hammer it into the head where the hex should be then you can try to undo the bolt after you warm it up possibly with a heat gun or small blow lamp to soften the Loctite ( which grade did you use ? ) the light blue one in generaly soft and comes out fairly easily.
     
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  8. Rocker

    Rocker Elite Member

    May 1, 2016
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  9. Hamburg

    Hamburg Senior Member

    Dec 12, 2018
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    I’ve used this method and it worked. The other solution is to weld a nut on to the stripped head, the heat from the welding helps release the thread and you can get a decent grip on the nut that’s been welded on.
     
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  10. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,035
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    Please can you give us. Photo?
    You can get a kit from Halfords or off Amazon/eBay for £15 for removing rounder hex bolts or rounded screws etc

    I used one today to remove a hex head pin from a rear caliper, hex was totally rounded, drilled in 3 or 4mm and set to with the remover tool
    Came out nice n quick
     
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  11. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
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    Well, as its possibly now dead, hit the thing dead on to shock the threads then whats left of the open head like oldyam said force an oversize torx bit in with a hammer then turn it very slowly and gently without jarring ie a wobble free movement should do something. If that didnt work as its aluminium drill the centre out and tap.
     
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  12. Repooh

    Repooh Rarely Satisfied

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    Good tips chaps I shall be attacking the wee blighter tomorrow
     
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  13. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
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    I don't know where you are geographically, but if you are near J3 of the M40, I may be able to help using my assortment of tools...
     
  14. Repooh

    Repooh Rarely Satisfied

    Jan 5, 2018
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    Thanks for the kind offer
     
  15. Repooh

    Repooh Rarely Satisfied

    Jan 5, 2018
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    So Boltgate solved

    Bought one of them screw removing jobbies, no good
    Heated the bolt, no change
    Smashed a Torx into the hole, no joy

    After more expletives than I thought I knew, I just bashed to bejesus out of the head with a screwdriver and club hammer and it budged, went round and round for ages bashing the shit out of it and my knuckles and hey presto after just two hours the little turd is out

    Thanks for all your input

    Going to buy a torque wrench now and be more liberal with screw lock - user error
     
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  16. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
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    Less liberal

    good news well done.
     
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  17. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
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    Be careful which threadlock you use some are permenant and need a LOT of heat to release.
     
  18. BigCLM

    BigCLM Senior Member

    Nov 30, 2017
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    Glad it is solved. Couple of tips. Most bolts applications do not need lock-tight. Vibration is the usual cause of loose bolts or nuts. If properly torqued bolts should not come loose. Use lock-tight only on bolts that are not routinely unfastened as part of normal maintenance. When I use lock-tight, I use a toothpick to put a small amount of it on about a quarter of the threads. It naturally spreads out over the threads when the bolt is threaded in. Don't soak the entire tread area. Only a small amount is necessary. And let it dry properly before riding.
     
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  19. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
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    I never use locktite at all. I alway like my fixings lubed no matter where they are, callipers included. If it’s tightened right with correct nut/washer combination then it never really gives any problems.

    My pet hate is dry seized fixings. Every time I buy a bike I go round the thing undoing bolts, nuts etc, lubing them and refitting them. I pick on the nasty looking areas that need most service work first. It really pays off!!
     
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