rounded allenkey hole on bolt...

[Zorro]

I am trying to take off the XC bashplate to replace it with the large TT one. however the allen key hole is now rounded off...
i tried tricks found in search - heat, hammer, oil / unlock compound but still no luck
does the 'use a saw to create a slot for a large screwdriver' trick really work?
any other tricks out there?
this driving me nuts...
thanks

 

[forry]

try hammering in a torx socket

 

[the beer hunter]

Can't you get a pair of molegrips onto it?

 

[cookie]

try hammering in a torx socket

that's definitely the way to go

 

[the beer hunter]

Ideally - stud extractor.

2nd best - Molegrips.

 

[freeloader]

I am trying to take off the XC bashplate to replace it with the large TT one. however the allen key hole is now rounded off...
i tried tricks found in search - heat, hammer, oil / unlock compound but still no luck
does the 'use a saw to create a slot for a large screwdriver' trick really work?
any other tricks out there?
this driving me nuts...
thanks

I've successfully used a Dremel saw to grind a screwdriver slot in a sumpguard stud to remove it, but the screwdriver has to be a GOOD fit in the slot you make.

Also, the wider the screwdriver bit, the better chance you have of getting it to work. Screwdriver has to be a good quality one as well, preferably one with a hex section on the shaft so you can get a spanner on it, and the more pressure you can bring to bear to stop it twisting out of the slot, the better.

No guarantees though.

 

[nud1e]

Torx bit with an impact driver works a treat

 

[rossi]

Is this for the 2 bolts on the front of the bashplate? Good luck because they collect all the crap from the road.

I would go for the following options, in order.
Torx bit and impact driver
Weld a nut or allen key onto the bolt. The heat expansion is normally enough to free off any corrosion.
If all else fails: grind off the bolt head, centre punch it, drill it out and re-tap the front subframe to M8.

I ended up doing the last one.

 

[Zorro]

Grr...

Thanks for the advice. Yes it is the one at the front of the bashplate. It is a round top / flat bolt so grips don't work. Hammerring the torx didn't work. I also tried the 'spear bolt extractor' but that rounded off too.
I have reached the limit of my tools posession (and patience) so I am afraid it is a trip to Vines of Guildford tomorrow.
Cheers

 

[FERRET]

Could you drill the head off, remove the bashplate, that hopefully would leave a bit of stud exposed, you could then try the grips and at worst drill out and tap a new thread?

 

[Andy B]

Grabbit Tool

I've used one of these very successfully on a number of occasions.

 

[cookie]

can you go up a size on the torx?

you don't need an impact driver, you just ned to a hammer to drive in the torx bit. i've never failed to get a rounded cap head out using this method yet.

 

[Zorro]

Done!

Thanks again for all the tips. After a glass or two I re-read the thread and tried again. This time I used a bigger hammer to ram in a T27 torx. In fact I used the back of an axe as I do not have a large hammer. And hey presto, it worked.

Great forum and thanks again. Cheers