HELP!! Rounded PITA top CAT bolt

CBRich · 01-04-2010, 09:24 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.

KEVTEX · 01-04-2010, 10:47 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, 10:49 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, 11:04 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, 11:05 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...

phantom21 · 01-04-2010, 11:06 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

KEVTEX · 01-04-2010, 11:21 AM

A skilled user of the blue tip wrench will get the job done.

phantom21 · 01-04-2010, 12:31 PM

The would have to be VERY skilled... I dont see how you are going to get a cutting torch down there.

Daishi · 01-04-2010, 03:54 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.

CBRich · 01-04-2010, 04:11 PM

There are flexible extensions for drills. Maybe something like that could help you out. You would still need an extra man below with gloves on to guide and keep aligned the bit.

Trips · 01-04-2010, 08:06 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

phantom21 · 01-04-2010, 09:39 PM

Well, I got brave and stuck the propane torch to it. Me and my brother got it cherry red and it still would not budge. We put the car back together tonight. I'm taking it to the local shop tomorrow. <crosses fingers>

phantom21 · 01-05-2010, 06:20 AM

This morning in the shower (calm down Frost, I know what you are thinking), I had a brain storm. If this local mechanic can't remove the bolt, what if I JB welded the socket onto the bolt; let it set up and then tried to remove it?

CBRich · 01-05-2010, 08:25 AM

So go ahead and do it before you take it to the mechanic. I would hate to see anybody here defeated by a bolt.

KEVTEX · 01-05-2010, 09:07 AM

JB weld is not a good idea, as it is not strong enough.

01-04-2010, 10:47 AM	#17 (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 10:50 AM.

01-04-2010, 11:05 AM	#20 (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, 12:31 PM	#23 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 16	The would have to be VERY skilled... I dont see how you are going to get a cutting torch down there. __________________ 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, 09:39 PM	#27 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 16	Well, I got brave and stuck the propane torch to it. Me and my brother got it cherry red and it still would not budge. We put the car back together tonight. I'm taking it to the local shop tomorrow. <crosses fingers> __________________ 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

01-05-2010, 06:20 AM	#28 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 16	This morning in the shower (calm down Frost, I know what you are thinking), I had a brain storm. If this local mechanic can't remove the bolt, what if I JB welded the socket onto the bolt; let it set up and then tried to remove it? __________________ 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, 09:24 AM	#16 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	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, 10:49 AM	#18 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	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, 11:04 AM	#19 (permalink)
Chris@FsP Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 430 Drives: 2008 350Z TT Rep Power: 368	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

01-04-2010, 11:21 AM	#22 (permalink)
KEVTEX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 119 Drives: 2010 370Z 7at sp pg Rep Power: 16	A skilled user of the blue tip wrench will get the job done.

01-04-2010, 04:11 PM	#25 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	There are flexible extensions for drills. Maybe something like that could help you out. You would still need an extra man below with gloves on to guide and keep aligned the bit.

01-05-2010, 08:25 AM	#29 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	So go ahead and do it before you take it to the mechanic. I would hate to see anybody here defeated by a bolt.

01-05-2010, 09:07 AM	#30 (permalink)
KEVTEX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 119 Drives: 2010 370Z 7at sp pg Rep Power: 16	JB weld is not a good idea, as it is not strong enough.