HELP!! Rounded PITA top CAT bolt

mspeasl · 01-05-2010, 09:02 PM

Torch....................

phantom21 · 01-06-2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspeasl

Torch....................

Well, I took it to The Performance Center in Augusta, GA and these good ol country boys got it off. There is no way I could have gotten it off. They could not break it loose with "conventional" tools either. Ultimately, the certified blue tip wrench tech stepped in to cut the head of the bolt off. Unfortunately, he was unable to pull the O2 trigger to start cutting, so all he could do was literally melt the head of the bolt. That finally disfigured the head of the bolt enough that a socket would hold and enough heat to bust it loose. Even after it was broke loose it was no cake walk. It almost looks like the bolt thread has a bur on it or was slightly cross threaded. But, I'm in business now...onto the G3's. Here is the aftermath...

schrute · 01-06-2010, 06:38 AM

Congratulations on not letting that bolt kick your a$$. Here's wishing the rest of your install goes smoother

370Zsteve · 01-06-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom21

Well, I took it to The Performance Center in Augusta, GA and these good ol country boys got it off. There is no way I could have gotten it off. They could not break it loose with "conventional" tools either. Ultimately, the certified blue tip wrench tech stepped in to cut the head of the bolt off. Unfortunately, he was unable to pull the O2 trigger to start cutting, so all he could do was literally melt the head of the bolt. That finally disfigured the head of the bolt enough that a socket would hold and enough heat to bust it loose. Even after it was broke loose it was no cake walk. It almost looks like the bolt thread has a bur on it or was slightly cross threaded. But, I'm in business now...onto the G3's. Here is the aftermath...

When in doubt, find a pro! Congrats on the evil bolt.

Trips · 01-06-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom21

Well, I took it to The Performance Center in Augusta, GA and these good ol country boys got it off. There is no way I could have gotten it off. They could not break it loose with "conventional" tools either. Ultimately, the certified blue tip wrench tech stepped in to cut the head of the bolt off. Unfortunately, he was unable to pull the O2 trigger to start cutting, so all he could do was literally melt the head of the bolt. That finally disfigured the head of the bolt enough that a socket would hold and enough heat to bust it loose. Even after it was broke loose it was no cake walk. It almost looks like the bolt thread has a bur on it or was slightly cross threaded. But, I'm in business now...onto the G3's. Here is the aftermath...

Sounds Good!

I unfortunately Didn't have it kick my Ass, but was lucky enough to break it off with a breaker bar....

CBRich · 01-04-2010, 08:24 AM

Like Triple's was saying . . . can you find a friend and some impact tools? I would definitely give that a go before I put everything back together.

Side Note: Triple's has like 10K posts and this is the first time I've seen his name.

Trips · 01-04-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

Like Triple's was saying . . . can you find a friend and some impact tools? I would definitely give that a go before I put everything back together.

Side Note: Triple's has like 10K posts and this is the first time I've seen his name.

Hey CBRich,
I'm always in the Prem Section, I do come out on Ocassions but rarely post unless a Troll Appears then I'm in the thread with a bat.... :tiphat

KEVTEX · 01-04-2010, 09:47 AM

The tool for removing locking lug nuts without a key might work. It bites into the rounded bolt head to get a strong grip.
Other options are to reassemble and let a muffler shop finish the job or if all else fails, you could remove the header and cat together to allow easy access to the rounded bolt.
Sorry to hear you're having this problem. I just installed hfc's last night by myself with no problems. For those that haven't done this install yet, the importance of having a quality six point socket sitting squarely on the bolt head before applying torque can't be overstated.
Also,don't use impact wrenches near your wideband O2 sensors.

CBRich · 01-04-2010, 09:49 AM

Kevtex makes a great point. Before you ever start to apply force to a bolt like this it is very important to ensure you have the socket placed fully on the bolt.

Chris@FsP · 01-04-2010, 10:04 AM

You could try one of these, and go at it from the top of the engine bay with some long extensions taped together

Whatever you do, don't try this guys approach So, Dont buy a VW - Honda-Tech

phantom21 · 01-04-2010, 10:06 AM

I got a set of these from AutoZone and the first time I used it, it stripped the inside of the "cutting nut" out.

and just spun after that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FailsafePerf

You could try one of these, and go at it from the top of the engine bay with some long extensions taped together

Whatever you do, don't try this guys approach So, Dont buy a VW - Honda-Tech

Daishi · 01-04-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FailsafePerf

You could try one of these, and go at it from the top of the engine bay with some long extensions taped together

Whatever you do, don't try this guys approach So, Dont buy a VW - Honda-Tech

i had this same issue except on the passenger side in which case i i used a dremmel to cut half the bolt where it meets the header and i was able to break it loose because the pressure was relieved. using this tool thats pictured above will not work its just going to strip and spin, Ive tried it. you basically just screwed yourself as there is no room on the drivers side to get a dremmel down their. only way is to drill it somehow.

corbin09 · 01-21-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FailsafePerf

You could try one of these, and go at it from the top of the engine bay with some long extensions taped together

Whatever you do, don't try this guys approach So, Dont buy a VW - Honda-Tech

OMFG did no one read that thread on the stripped wheel bolt... I read the whole thread... HAHAHHA wow.

abakja1 · 01-21-2010, 11:13 PM

Exactly the kind of bolt extractor I have,..Just got to hammer it onto the head so that it wont slip off....

Quote:

Originally Posted by corbin09

OMFG did no one read that thread on the stripped wheel bolt... I read the whole thread... HAHAHHA wow.

phantom21 · 01-04-2010, 10:05 AM

yeah after looking at it, you need to be VERY careful on the driver's side bolt that is next to the steering shaft. Even with the knuckle, the shaft makes it EXTREMELY difficult to get the socket sitting on the bolt head fully. I guess my troubles started when my first 6 pt socket cracked up the side. It popped so loud we thought we got it. The only getting was the pain me and my brother got in our forearm and elbow from slamming into the enginebay ;0 <ouch>. I'm going to take it to a local shop that has done a couple 370 CAT jobs. We will see...

01-05-2010, 09:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
mspeasl Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 367 Drives: Red M6 Sport/Touring Rep Power: 269	Torch Torch.................... __________________ Mspeasl - Central Illinois 2009 - Solid Red, M6 '370' Sport/Touring (Delivered 7 April 09)

01-06-2010, 06:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	Congratulations on not letting that bolt kick your a$$. Here's wishing the rest of your install goes smoother __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

01-04-2010, 09:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
KEVTEX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 119 Drives: 2010 370Z 7at sp pg Rep Power: 16	The tool for removing locking lug nuts without a key might work. It bites into the rounded bolt head to get a strong grip. Other options are to reassemble and let a muffler shop finish the job or if all else fails, you could remove the header and cat together to allow easy access to the rounded bolt. Sorry to hear you're having this problem. I just installed hfc's last night by myself with no problems. For those that haven't done this install yet, the importance of having a quality six point socket sitting squarely on the bolt head before applying torque can't be overstated. Also,don't use impact wrenches near your wideband O2 sensors. Last edited by KEVTEX; 01-04-2010 at 09:50 AM.

01-04-2010, 10:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 16	yeah after looking at it, you need to be VERY careful on the driver's side bolt that is next to the steering shaft. Even with the knuckle, the shaft makes it EXTREMELY difficult to get the socket sitting on the bolt head fully. I guess my troubles started when my first 6 pt socket cracked up the side. It popped so loud we thought we got it. The only getting was the pain me and my brother got in our forearm and elbow from slamming into the enginebay ;0 <ouch>. I'm going to take it to a local shop that has done a couple 370 CAT jobs. We will see... __________________ 2009 PG 6spd Sport \|\| 30% side tint, 15% rear \|\| All Redline fluids \|\| Berk HFC's intalled~PITA Bolt \|\| Stillen G3's \|\| Berk CBE \|\| BC Racing Coilovers with 10K/12K Swift springs & RA valving\|\| SPL rear camber arms \|\| 20mm/15mm spacers

01-04-2010, 08:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 545	Like Triple's was saying . . . can you find a friend and some impact tools? I would definitely give that a go before I put everything back together. Side Note: Triple's has like 10K posts and this is the first time I've seen his name.

01-04-2010, 09:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 545	Kevtex makes a great point. Before you ever start to apply force to a bolt like this it is very important to ensure you have the socket placed fully on the bolt.

01-04-2010, 10:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
Chris@FsP Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 430 Drives: 2008 350Z TT Rep Power: 369	You could try one of these, and go at it from the top of the engine bay with some long extensions taped together Whatever you do, don't try this guys approach So, Dont buy a VW - Honda-Tech