Rounder off bolt head

[Bill Henderson]

I was changing my alternator and rounded off the head of one of the bolts on the bottom. Can somebody tell me how to get the bolt out.

 

[Bill Barber]

Vice grips

 

[Jim Dolinski]

Go to sears and get the sockets they have for rounded off heads, I have had good luck with them.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Use good tools to start with. I really like Metrinch tools. By far, my favorite.



As Jim D said, Irwin makes a socket that works like an "easy out". Never needed them, but I do own a set.



I get freaked out when I am trying to loosen that wimpy bolt on some non-domestic cars.





Tom

 

[Todd Z]

Thats a grade 8 bolt, Also where on the bottom, the 3 bolts holding it in are 13mm heads...and they face up..



Todd Z

 

[Bill Henderson]

There is no room to turn vice grips. Can I jus drill out the bolt head and remove the alternator? then getting the rest of the bolt out might e easier. Or can I cut the head off the bolt? how do I do it?

 

[Tom Schindler]

Did you look at the link I submitted?





Tom

 

[Kevin Palmer]

If there is simply no room, but,,, and this is an important BUT,,, , if the head was removed would there be room for the bracket to slip over the stub of the bolt????



If so, then grind the head off or cut it off if there is room and then slip the bracket off the stub. Then you will have room for vise grips.



The link that Tom supplied is a Link to a toll that will do what you need as well almost every time,,, the tighter you turn to the left, the more they want to grip..

 

[EddieS'04]

I saw the Irwins at Autozone at one time...

 

[Bill Henderson]

I have a set of the Screw & Bolt Extractors but they didn't get the bolt out.

 

[Todd Z]

Yes, you can cut the bolt head off and remove the alt and then use pliers to remove the bolt..



You could also try cutting a flat slot in it and use a large screwdriver with a wrench on it to get it out.



But cutting or drilling the head off will work fine..



Todd Z