Rounded Bolt Heads
#1
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:02 PM
Ever since i got the car i have known that the thermostat was on its way out. So today i decided to change it, however when i went to take the housing off there was a bit of an issue as the 3 bolt heads were completly rounded off (i pressume the guy before me had tried and rounded them off, hence giving me the new thermostat with the car)
Me and my dad were out there trying all sorts from molegrips, different toothed sockets, slightly smaller sockets, but they still arent budging.
Is there anything else i can do to get them off?
Thanks
Sam
#2
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:06 PM
It's quite likely that the ali has corroded down the holes and is gripping the shaft of the bolt.. The heat from welding will help this..
It's probably a product of someone trying to get the bolts out with a metric socket set and therefore rounding the heads...
The final alternative is to take the tops off the bolts with an angle grinder which will then allow you to lever the thermostat housing up and off... you should then be able to get what remains of the bolts out with a stud extractor... after some liberal use of an easing product
#3
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:11 PM
Edited by elvisthepizzaman, 17 December 2009 - 01:13 PM.
#4
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:36 PM
I will have to get the welder out then and try that.
#5
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:40 PM
oncve moving give it a load of penatrating oil or desel, and ease it out doing 1/4-1/2 turns.
#6
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:55 PM
#7
Posted 17 December 2009 - 01:59 PM
Once i get it out, shall i run a wire brush up and down the shaft and grease/soak in anything
#8
Posted 17 December 2009 - 02:01 PM
Edited by IainR, 17 December 2009 - 02:02 PM.
#9
Posted 17 December 2009 - 02:46 PM
Cheers again
Once i get it out, shall i run a wire brush up and down the shaft and grease/soak in anything
if the heads are rounded throw them away and use new ones
#10
Posted 17 December 2009 - 03:40 PM
Cheers again
Once i get it out, shall i run a wire brush up and down the shaft and grease/soak in anything
if the heads are rounded throw them away and use new ones
Sorry i meant the shaft of the thermostat housing.
Should of said, sorry
#11
Posted 18 December 2009 - 06:29 PM
#12
Posted 18 December 2009 - 06:50 PM
pair of moles grips sometimes does the job too
He tried them
I don't have access to a welder...I tend to wither away the rest of the day filling two parts of the nut square
#13
Posted 20 December 2009 - 09:37 PM
They can get genuine rover bolts - but they are near £2 each!!!
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