rounded torx bolts

poltheball
poltheball Posts: 307
edited February 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
maan :(

while trying to get my brake rotors i've gone and rounded out a couple of torx bolts (one on each wheel, annoyingly)

any ideas as to how i can remove them now?

if all else fails, i'll take it to the lbs but i'd much rather do it myself :P

cheers in advance ;)
My Ragley Blue Pig X

Comments

  • Salsa
    Salsa Posts: 753
    Saw a slot in them & use a flat bladed screwdriver to remove. If that fails angle grind the heads off, remove rotor & grab the bit that's left with pliers to twist them out.
  • poltheball
    poltheball Posts: 307
    ooh, that'd make sense ;)

    cheers mate, will have a go at that :)
    My Ragley Blue Pig X
  • broken weeble
    broken weeble Posts: 174
    Molgrips?
  • poltheball
    poltheball Posts: 307
    tried that, couldn't get enough purchase on the outer curcumference of the bolt tho :'(

    looks like i'll have to butcher them & hope i don't slip and saw the rotor :lol:

    cheers anyways :)
    My Ragley Blue Pig X
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    Salsa wrote:
    Saw a slot in them & use a flat bladed screwdriver to remove. If that fails angle grind the heads off, remove rotor & grab the bit that's left with pliers to twist them out.

    I had to Dremel cut slots into 3 of my very rusted commuter bike's disks a few years ago, there was absolutely no other option. The small hacksaw was too clumsy.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • poltheball
    poltheball Posts: 307
    haa :P

    hopefully i won't have to resort to anything like that, but they're quite stubborn.. :(

    if i can't do it i'll just have to hopemy lbs can :P

    cheers :)
    My Ragley Blue Pig X
  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,171
    chances are the hub into which the bolts go in is aluminium - pour lost of boiling water to heat the hub - aluminium expands more than steel so should "release" the bolt.

    More extremr would be to use a blow torch to heat up the hub but beware of any rubber or plastic bits that can melt or burn away.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Demelling a slot is pretty effective because it also shunts a load of localised heat into the bolt, helps break the parts apart and will soften threadlock too (draw the bolt out as soon as you're done cutting).
    Uncompromising extremist
  • poltheball
    poltheball Posts: 307
    thanks for the help and suggestions guys - got it out by sawing across the bolt and using a flathead screwdriver.

    so tis all good now, will keep the other suggestions in mind for the next time this inevitably happens :P

    cheers :D
    My Ragley Blue Pig X

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