Stripped transmission cover bolts

[digitalsam]

There is an aluminum cover that has three hex bolts that are counter sunk on it. It has to be removed before you can take out the transmission gears. Apparently they are Locktited and one of the three is stripped on my engine. The other is stuck and I am afraid that I will strip that one if I try. The first bolt came off without much trouble.

Two questions, One: How do you remove a LOCKTITED bolt? Second how do I remove the stripped countersunk bolt?

[CatatonicBug]

The bolts you are referring to are TORX head. They require a T30 size bit. Use a GOOD quality bit, and some good pressure to get out the last one. It's only blue locktite, so it will come, but requires some convincing. Warming it a bit with a torch can help. As for the stripped one, you'll have to use an extractor. Start with a torch, and then hit it hard with the extractor bit, and it should come right out.

[DGXSER]

The locktighted bolts I have removed, usually come loose but require some force/torque. As to how to remove the one that stripped, do you have a picture? Is this the small almost circular cover on the left side in the middle drive unit? Is it exposed or underneath the shift fork cover like this one?



You can see it under the shift pawl.

[TopCatGr58]

I had 1 of the three get stripped on one I worked on a while back. I removed the other 2, and then used a DRILL and drilled OUT the head of the stripped one enough to be able to slide the bearing cover off over the stripped/drilled off one. Then there was enough stud sticking out to put a vicelock pliers on and remove it. Then just went to local hardware store and got a PHILLIPS countersunk replacement. Using locktite again, so I wasn't worried about it trying to come loose, I just didn't torque it excessively when I put the new one back in!
T.C.

[petejw]

Hey Digitalsam,
You can drill the head of the stripped torx bolt, this
should leave enough bolt left to grip a pair of vices grips on
once the cover is removed, if you cant get grips on the bolt, drill the middle of the bolt and use an extraxtor.
Its important to use a good quality 'torxx' head. The cheap ones a crap.
With a locktite bolt, give it a whack or 2 with a hammer,
this helps break its seal and makes for an easier removal.
hope this helps you.

[petejw]

geez im a slow typist, there were no responses when i had started. lol

[Ken Talbot]

One: How do you remove a LOCKTITED bolt?

The tool you want is an impact driver



This one is a 1/2" drive that works great with a 5 lb sledge hammer. I use it with the hex drive adaptor it comes with, or a 1/2 - 3/8 adaptor and any number of 3/8 drive bits I have collected over time. I bought a cheap one quite a few years back and ab/used it so much it fell apart. The UltraPro I have now is a much better tool, and worth every penny I paid for it. Use one of these for a few stuck fasteners, and you'll never go back!

[trbig]

I have used a Dremmel to cut a groove into the screw heads, then used the impact Ken pictured with the common screwdriver attachment to remove some that have stripped. My local Ace Hardware had some stainless phillips headed screws that I replaced them with. If your T-30 torx bit is rounded at the tip at all (Usually the cheaper ones are) you can touch them with a grinder it is squared up. Just don't grind it hard and take out the temper of the bit.

Tod