alfie12 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 5:14 pm
I've unfortunately discovered 2 of the 8 torx bolts have stripped heads on mine... any tips on getting these out? I don't have much specialist equipment to deal with this situation, is there a decent kit or something available to get these out?
My job has had me deal with a rediculous amount of seized fasteners over the years. Here is how we usually deal with them starting from quick and easy (no-drill), to getting your proper tools out (drill)!
FIRST CHOICE
If you are lucky, you can use some life changine stuff called Ez-Grip, Screw grab or similar. It is basically a friction material (think sand) in a suspension that by magic fills the gap between your screw bit and the worn fastener head. Clean the head out with a pick, put a few drops of this stuff in the hole and press down firmly and turn slowly. With a bit of luck the stuck fastener will come out.
Screw grab
6.99GBP:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390551570261
EZ-Grip (this is better in my opinion but I have used the above and it is also v good)
20.99
https://www.silmid.com/adhesives/specia ... oz-bottle/
SECOND CHOICE
Can you get access to drill a hole down the centre? You only need to go about 10mm deep and not drill the head off unless it is a last resort.
If so, I swear by Snap On screw extractors. They have pretty much never failed me, and I have given them serious abuse at work, including seized 1/2" and 5/16" high tensile bolts.
You can buy a set for over 100GBP, but actually there are just a few that are useful to keep in your tool box and you just need a few in your toolbox for a couple of quid each. Sorry, I am going to talk to you now in imperial measurements! You just drill the size hole in your seized bolt and then drop the tool in, give it a little tap and then put a socket on the back with a long armed ratcher or breaker bar and push-and-turn slowly but forcefully and the bolt should come out.
If one size doesn't manage it, risk the next size up.
I would recomend you buy 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" and 1/4" and you will be set for a good long while.
For your seat bolts, I'd start with 5/32", then if that doesn't work 3/16".
They have a lifetime warranty from Snap On so if you can find your local dealer (who will be mobile and in a big van) you can buy from him and return if they wear out
1/8" Snap On Part Number REX104A. (For 1/4" dia. bolts, although on 3/16" is fine too))
5GBP:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293832401452
5/32" Snap On Part Number REX105A (For 5/16" dia. bolts)
5GBP:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293810015612
3/16" Snap On Part Number REX106A (For 3/8" dia. bolts)
5GBP:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293810016794
1/4" Snap On Part Number REX108A (For 1/2" dia. bolts)
4GBP
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293835951850
To drill the holes in seat belt bolts you need some decent drill bits. I would start by not wasting your time with anything you can buy on the high street. Buy decent quality HSS (high speed steel) bits from somewhere like Crowmell Tools. You can easily buy the metric equivalents to the imperial sizes in the UK.
For 1/8" drill 3.2mm
For 5/32" drill 4mm
For 3/16" drill 4.8mm
For 1/4" drill 6.3mm
THIRD CHOICE
Drill the head off entirely. Once the seat is out the way you can then use option two above or do what Jeff did. Fot me, the retapping method would be an absolute last resort though just because it is far too much effort!
For your reference imperial to metric for drill bits: