12 replies to this topic

[sambarnes]

1998 cooper sportspack.

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

[Guess-Works.com]

Weld a nut onto the top of them....

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

[elvisthepizzaman]

I agree, weld a nut on top of the rounded off nut, or even just use the welder to heat up the nut itself, the heat is usually enough to break free most rust and locktite. If it is that rusty the I would still want to use the welder or torch to heat the rest of it that goes into the head and replace with some new bolts.

Edited by elvisthepizzaman, 17 December 2009 - 01:13 PM.

[sambarnes]

Cheers,

I will have to get the welder out then and try that.

[mini13]

if you get it moving, don't just unwind it out, it may break flush with the head, then your really up the creek...

oncve moving give it a load of penatrating oil or desel, and ease it out doing 1/4-1/2 turns.

[Dan]

1/2 a turn out, then 1/4 of a turn back in then 1/2 a turn out etc. until it's moving freely. And stop to let it cool now and then.

[sambarnes]

Cheers again

Once i get it out, shall i run a wire brush up and down the shaft and grease/soak in anything

[IainR]

Irwin extractor sockets are supposed to be the business, you can get them from Machine Mart. Try copper grease on the threads when re-assembling.

Edited by IainR, 17 December 2009 - 02:02 PM.

[l_jonez]

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

[sambarnes]

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

[morley]

pair of moles grips sometimes does the job too

[zebidee]

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

[sirweste]

When ordering new bolts from minispares or the like be specific about what you want - else they'll send you a piece of threaded bar and some nuts. Which means that you cant get the housing off the threaded bar once the corrosion has set in.
They can get genuine rover bolts - but they are near £2 each!!!