Rounded pulley bolt removal?

t0ph0id

When trying to replace one of the pulleys the bolt rounded, any tips on getting it out?

rake

could take a hacksaw make a slot for a screwdriver.

stigofthedump

You can often grip rounded bolts with a small set of mole grips. Like these

http://www.stanleytools.co.uk/product/147532

nicklouse

what pulley?

cant think of any pulleys on a bike.

unixnerd

Get a really good allen key that's part of a socket set, I use Snap-On Tools. Very expensive but they seldom round of bolts. I've seen them remove things other tools just won't grip. I play with classic cars now and then and there's nothing better than cheap tools to round off a bolt or an old screwhead.

If you have a socket set you can also affix the socket to the end of an impact screwdriver, wonderful tool. Just be sure to put the other end of the fastener against something really solid then find a nice big hammer!

Another idea is to use a Dremel's cutting disc to make a slot for a screwdriver.

ride_whenever

nicklouse wrote:

what pulley?

cant think of any pulleys on a bike.

Jockey wheels are often referred to as pulleys nick, especially by shimano...

Yossie

Small drill, drill out the top of the rounded allen head. You should be able to slip the jockey wheel out - it'll be tight but give it a wiggle and it'll come out. (no free Haribo though).

Take out the other j/w, the plate will come apart.

Feel free to swap these two stages around depending on how you feel.

The remaining bit of screw will then come out either hand turning or with no effort at all with a pair of pliers as there is no tension on it.

When reassembling slap loads of copperslip all over it so it doesn't happen again, nip up not too tight - use a torque wrench.

Agree 100% re Snap On comments above - the best things you can buy. Things like Allen keys are actually really well priced as well.

Monty Dog

Many jockey-wheel screws are countersunk making cutting slots tricky unless you have a Dremel and a steady hand. Try using a slightly oversize Torx bit first - may need to tap it in with a hammer for 'bite'. Next, see if you can use a screw-thread extractor - might be able to get some 'bite' but it may mangle the head further. I'd then try some of the options listed above e.g drilling out

t0ph0id

I'm going to try glueing an old allen key in first, followed by hammering in a larger torx, followed by dremmeling in a slot to use a screw driver.

Fingers crossed...

ride_whenever

Remove the rear mech...

Undo the OTHER bolt then turn the other side of the cage, this often gives you enough purchase to undo it.

t0ph0id

ride_whenever wrote:

Remove the rear mech...

Undo the OTHER bolt then turn the other side of the cage, this often gives you enough purchase to undo it.

This is how I tried to do it in the first place.

Mech removed, lower bolt and jockey wheel removed, mech upside down.

I need to clamp it open somehow to get more access to the bolt. Could do with a vice really.

Edit: might have to head to the LBS tonight.

ride_whenever

Use an old cable, put the barrel in the stop on the mech, open the mech up and clamp it, then all you need to do is twist is open rather than twist and spread it so life is much easier.

rake

i forgot they were allen keys levelled in. drill the head off. use a bit slightly bigger than the thread.

Yossie

Glue won't work. I wouldn't personally hammer something that delicate.

If you don't want to drill, look at getting one wheel out then sliding a junior hacksaw blade down the side and cutting through teh errant bolt. Then drop other wheel out etc etc as per post passim.

Naturally take the mech out when doing this.