Help--Bolt is stuck
06-19-2004, 08:21 PM
#1
1.5 BAR
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,190
Help--Bolt is stuck
On my BMW:
The output shaft seal on the transmission was a little leaky, so instead of replacing it (too lazy right now) I decided to just top off the tranny fluid. The tranny fluid fill bolt is on the right side of the tranny, it has okay access but you couldn't get a drill into it without taking out the transmission. So, I start to undo the bolt. It's stuck. I pull and pull--using a breaker bar, the socket I was using (3/8" drive 17mm) cracks in half. I say screw this, i'll take it to my mechanic.
The mechanic tries the same thing, except he breaks a SnapOn socket. He tries another socket, and breaks a Craftsman socket wrench. We finally try a 1/2" drive 18" wrench with a 17mm socket, and the bolt strips. They then try a big *** Channellock, and when that fails, a ViceGrips with a dead blow hammer.
The bolt is now completely stripped. I mean, not just rough, it's round. What should I do? I'd like to get it off myself, and not have to take it to the BMW dealer to get it drilled (I think they might have to take out the tranny=big $$$). Any suggestions?
The output shaft seal on the transmission was a little leaky, so instead of replacing it (too lazy right now) I decided to just top off the tranny fluid. The tranny fluid fill bolt is on the right side of the tranny, it has okay access but you couldn't get a drill into it without taking out the transmission. So, I start to undo the bolt. It's stuck. I pull and pull--using a breaker bar, the socket I was using (3/8" drive 17mm) cracks in half. I say screw this, i'll take it to my mechanic.
The mechanic tries the same thing, except he breaks a SnapOn socket. He tries another socket, and breaks a Craftsman socket wrench. We finally try a 1/2" drive 18" wrench with a 17mm socket, and the bolt strips. They then try a big *** Channellock, and when that fails, a ViceGrips with a dead blow hammer.
The bolt is now completely stripped. I mean, not just rough, it's round. What should I do? I'd like to get it off myself, and not have to take it to the BMW dealer to get it drilled (I think they might have to take out the tranny=big $$$). Any suggestions?
06-19-2004, 09:47 PM
#5
3.0 BAR
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 3,365
Re:Help--Bolt is stuck
Damn, that's some wack ----.. strange for the thing to get stuck that bad.. I've delt with that kinda ---- with 9/16ths bolts on a way overheated sbc.. I just ended up carfully cutting the bitches off.. but it's a bit different then your situation.
The weld a nut to it is about the best bet. That's an old school trick if you have a way stuck freeze plug on a v8 is to do a fast mig weld (a little bit more then a spot weld) and twist the bitch off.
I don't even know if it is near the point of using a bolt/screw extractor kit.. somehow I don't think that will do it. Try the weld trick and then drop the bitch to figure it out.
Let us know. Good luck
-ryan
The weld a nut to it is about the best bet. That's an old school trick if you have a way stuck freeze plug on a v8 is to do a fast mig weld (a little bit more then a spot weld) and twist the bitch off.
I don't even know if it is near the point of using a bolt/screw extractor kit.. somehow I don't think that will do it. Try the weld trick and then drop the bitch to figure it out.
Let us know. Good luck
-ryan
06-20-2004, 01:59 AM
#6
1.5 BAR
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Re:Help--Bolt is stuck
All I have is a stick arc welder with no gas... should I even try it? Would that even be strong enough? Also, isn't that just like what I tried to do, or will the heat break the bolt loose? The tranny case is aluminum, but i'm assuming the bolt is steel...
I've had the tranny out before, it's pretty straight forward, just time consuming. That would have to wait till next weekend.
I've had the tranny out before, it's pretty straight forward, just time consuming. That would have to wait till next weekend.
06-20-2004, 02:21 AM
#7
3.0 BAR
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 3,365
Re:Help--Bolt is stuck
Turn your ARC welder down to something in the range of welding say... 1/8 inch stock (like you were about to do two pieces of 1/8" in a butt weld).
I would not suggest ground clamping that to the aluminum housing, it's not worth the risk of energy transfer scaring (or melting) the aluminum. You "could" try it on a very low heat setting to test the outcome, maybe catch the top of a fin. The hard part will be securing the nut to the bolt with something, then ground clamping to the nut, then making small tack welds here and there (while moving everything around) on your back with sparks flying in your hair and ----. I've done that ---- before man, not fun.
To answer your question, yes the heat will help jar the bolt. Before you rounded that bitch off, I would have recommended soaking it with PB Blaster and maybe tapping a chunk of brass on top of the bolt in hopes to loosen it. Hindsite is always 20-20.
Anyways, it's your call, you have your options. I'd be happy to answer more questions if you have them... I'm from the old school of getting bolts out the hard way.
-ryan
I would not suggest ground clamping that to the aluminum housing, it's not worth the risk of energy transfer scaring (or melting) the aluminum. You "could" try it on a very low heat setting to test the outcome, maybe catch the top of a fin. The hard part will be securing the nut to the bolt with something, then ground clamping to the nut, then making small tack welds here and there (while moving everything around) on your back with sparks flying in your hair and ----. I've done that ---- before man, not fun.
To answer your question, yes the heat will help jar the bolt. Before you rounded that bitch off, I would have recommended soaking it with PB Blaster and maybe tapping a chunk of brass on top of the bolt in hopes to loosen it. Hindsite is always 20-20.
Anyways, it's your call, you have your options. I'd be happy to answer more questions if you have them... I'm from the old school of getting bolts out the hard way.
-ryan
06-20-2004, 02:24 AM
#8
1.5 BAR
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Join Date: Mar 2003
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Re:Help--Bolt is stuck
Originally Posted by quadnie
To answer your question, yes the heat will help jar the bolt. Before you rounded that bitch off, I would have recommended soaking it with PB Blaster and maybe tapping a chunk of brass on top of the bolt in hopes to loosen it. Hindsite is always 20-20.
I don't think he gave it enough time to penatrate though. Oh well. I think the tranny needs to come out after all. There goes my weekend... (that tranny is some heavy ----) 
06-20-2004, 03:29 AM
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,991
Re:Help--Bolt is stuck
Curious to see where it is at on the tranny, I deal with siezed bolts and fucked up ---- all day long, and so does beau. If the head of the bolt is sticking out just a little bit, try to see if you can find a friend who has a air impact hammer with a long chizzle extension on it (flat) Catch the corner of the plug/bolt whatever it is, and try to rotate the thing counterclockewise while tapping the trigger. This usually will break the seal on the threads and it should come right out. I think its a bad idea to weld a nut to it unless you have a mig w/ a spool setup for aluminum or you can get a tig in there, because I dont think a arc welder will work.
