Starter bolt problem 3.4
 

I am replacing my starter and I went to lossen the 2 starter bolts and they just won't budge and they rounded some what. I sprayed pb on it but what else do you reccomend to get those bolts out?

Make sure you are using a good quality six-point socket. A little penetrating lube, like WD-40 never hurts, but be careful of overspray. A little careful filing can remove the rounding if you slipped a wrench.

one more thing. Cresent wrenches are not for working on cars. That is way why we have open end wrenches.

I bet one of these threads will help ya...
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3...ips-how-89042/

Thanks, I'm not having a problem getting to the bolts, just getting them to turn, especially now that part os them are rounded now. I even wasted 18 bucks on one of those gator grip sockets, no luck.:pop:

You're going to need to heat and beat those bolts to get them to loosen up. After that, when you put NEW bolts in, put a dab of neverseize on them, and torque them to spec.

Time to take it to a shop and open up the chequebook.

Simple fact is heat them up a bit if possible and try, that dont work time to get some of those craftsmans bolt off things and use that.

I'm wondering if I use my air hammer to try to loosen them if that'll work.

Air hammer? That will just mangle them even more.

If it comes down to it, go find a snap on truck and get their special sockets they make for rounded off bolts. I used a set my buddy has. I honestly didn't think they would work since the bolt was so rounded, but it worked like a charm! I think they are $99 for the set.

Same things sears sells really, I wouldnt spend the bucks on the snap ons when you can get a set at sears for half that. Oh Irwin makes the same ones for about 35 bucks sold at casa de depot and lowes.

No, I'm not talking about the extractor type of deals with the reverse threaded teeth that bite down on the bolt. Snap on sells a set of sockets that have a special design to them that will grip up to 50% rounded bolt. Looks just like a regular socket but has some funky ribs in it. Never seen them anywhere else.

I know what your talking about, and yes these are special sockets that fit over the bolt itself and have gripping teeth in'em that work. They have both an area for a wrench and a socket/gun. Like I said sears sells them but irwins are the same thing an cheaper http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/...rwinProd100512

Snap ons are similar and I have used them, but these work just as well and dont cost $$$

Nope, thats not it. They look virtually identical to regular sockets, but they have just a little different contact points than a regular sockets. never seen them anywhere else but the snap on truck.

Seems that mac sells a similar set too

http://toolmonger.com/2007/05/25/mac...cket-set-line/

I have a set of the extractors, and I've had limited luck with them. About 20% success rate. I think the snap on set would work a lot better.

To each his own, at the shop we didnt bother with the mac/snapon/matco ones they want to much, I got all the irwin ones for about 200, thats all bolt sizes, lugnuts and whatnot and using impacts I cant beat them.

Honestly though, tracking down one of thier trucks spending 100 bones for a set and whatnot is not something I would do when I can go to the depot and spend 30 bucks on a set.

I agree, snap on and all those tools are too expensive. Personally I have all craftsman and harbor freight tools in my box. Cant afford anything more.

But I was very impressed with this particular socket set, and I might buy it myself. But I'm a mechanic and I would use it more often than a backyard mechanic would, so it's worth it to me.

Sorry for the hijack!

Makes sense, yea sorry for the hijack.

I sometimes just use a cheap 12pt socket and hammer it on and voila it works.

Got it! I went to Ace hardware and bought an extractor kit and went to work. It took awhile as you have to tap it on with a hammer and there isn't really any room to hold it on with one hand and hit with the hammer. Anyway, they finally came out. Thanks for the help.

Good to hear. Make sure you get some new bolts.

Oh yeah, these are nowhere near reusable :eeek: