Damaged Allen Key/Hex Bolt Extractor?

[Tribal Chestnut]

Any recommendations?

The simple act of trying to remove a hugger went horribly wrong.

[Krikkit]

Hammer a torx bit into it, worked many times for me

[Seight_Returns]

Wish I'd read this a week ago - I did similar when removing the fairing on my VFR at the weekend.

Attempted to drill the head off the bolt and got about halfway before I blunted my HSS drill bit.

I think now I've gone this far and completely rounded out the hex head that I have no alternative but to keep going with a fresh drill bit and retap the thread afterwards if I can't drill the bolt out cleanly.

[Dal3D]

I've got a set of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damaged-Extractor-Strippe...

Basically a set of different sized left hand thread screws that bite into the rounded head. Matching drill bits to use on flat head screws too.

Which came in handy when BG engineer rounded a head on our Boiler pump during replacement saying he's going to have to take the whole thing apart taking 3 hours. 10 Seconds later the offending screw was out.

Edited by Dal3D on Wednesday 15th December 10:37

[KTMsm]

Krikkit said:

Hammer a torx bit into it, worked many times for me

^^^ This

If you can get WD40 or similar and / or heat onto the swingarm (I presume) it makes it easier

[Krikkit]

Dal3D said:

I've got a set of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damaged-Extractor-Strippe...

Basically a set of different sized left hand thread screws that bite into the rounded head.

Which came in handy when BG engineer rounded a head on our Boiler pump during replacement saying he's going to have to take the whole thing apart taking 3 hours. 10 Seconds later the offending screw was out.

Nice, 4 quid off on a lightning deal too, ta.

[the cueball]

Torx Bit that is slightly too big hammered in.

Extractor kit.

Heat.

Weld a nut onto it.

Petrol, insurance claim and get a new bike.

Depends how bad it goes, but that is usually my method..



I had the same thing a couple of months back with a knackered Allen key bolt for an oil line, behind the headers on my bike...

Got a product called PB Blaster Catalyst... pretty much a WD40 like product but stronger/better.

Used that a few times over a couple of days, then used a Torx to get it out.

[TRIUMPHBULLET]

Krikkit said:

Hammer a torx bit into it, worked many times for me

This is the best soution I have found too, sometimes an imperial allen key bit in a metric cap screw works if it is a little larger and vice versa..
If the capscrew is proud of the surface and you have room to swing a hammer a bi hex socket can be used if you are desperate.
Some of the so called extractor kits out there are dire.

[tvrolet]

If it's not countersunk cut a flat across it and use flat screwdriver/impact driver. And if using the hammer-in-a-torx socket solution then an impact driver can be useful there too...but I did snap a torx socket with said method, so also as above add heat.

[spoodler]

I would suggest that if you are buying an extractor set... don't buy cheap. The last thing you need is to be drilling out a snapped off extractor.

Also be aware that WD40 isn't a very good lubricant for seized bolts, try a proper penetrating/dismantling fluid. I use this stuff for seized bolts (if I can't use a gas torch) and Plus Gas for general dismantling... https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/normfest-super-crac...

A cheap impact driver can work wonders if there is something solid to hit (and you use it properly), but you won't be able to use it on a fairing without a wood block support or similar.

[Biker9090]

Have always found extractor sets a waste of time. Just hammer a torx bit into it.

[Seight_Returns]

Dal3D said:

I've got a set of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damaged-Extractor-Strippe...

Basically a set of different sized left hand thread screws that bite into the rounded head. Matching drill bits to use on flat head screws too.

Which came in handy when BG engineer rounded a head on our Boiler pump during replacement saying he's going to have to take the whole thing apart taking 3 hours. 10 Seconds later the offending screw was out.

Edited by Dal3D on Wednesday 15th December 10:37

I just bought a set of these to remove an Allen headed fairing bolt that I'd mangled. I made a complete mess of the bolt unsuccessfully trying to drill the head off to the point that hammering in a torx bit wasn't an option - but these extractors worked perfectly.

Thanks.

[Krikkit]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's my fall back if it's really stuck or high torque, or limited access. Weld a nut or bolt into it, then cool it with water as the rapid cooling shocks corrosion free. Works a treat.