Engine Bolt

[DGXSER]

So I am hopefully nearing the end of the pieces to remove from my project bike. The engine guards are pretty nasty looking, so I am pulling them and planning to paint them.

The problem I have run into is that the PO completely rounded off the bottom front engine mount bolt which also holds on the bottom of the engine guard. It also looks like they might have welded the nut into place. So, my question is, do I need to special order a replacement bolt for this? Will any grade eight bolt work? Any great ideas on how to get out a round headed bolt with a bunch or torque on it? Vice Grips won't hold it enough to break it lose.

Thanks for any info!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey DGxser,

I would think the Grade 8 bolt would be just fine. If you are going to replace the bolt anyways, why bother trying to wrench the nut off, just get your Dremmel or grinder with a cut off wheel, and it'll be off in a few seconds!
T.C.

[bikerphil]

DG, it's not a "special" bolt, probably just a 10mm x 1.25 pitch of the correct length. That bolt is down in a tight area, so for removing the bolt, could first try hammering on a smaller size socket (13mm?). Then there's the old hammer and chisel trick to spin the head. Cutting a slot in the head to fit a wide flathead bit on an impact driver might also work. Just some suggestions, HTH

[Rasputin]

When you have a rounded bolt one of the best ways is to use these, unfortunatly they are not the cheapest way to go. They do work well.

http://www.stanleyproto.com/default....tor+Socket+Set

http://www.stanleyproto.com/showPic....20Socket%20Set

[DGXSER]

That bolt is in pretty tight, so I doubt a screw driver will be the answer. It is in a tight spot and I can just see me hammering on the chisel and punching through the engine case when it slips. i will definitely try hammering on the smaller socket though, their craftsman so if the socket gives first it is a free replacement.

The only problem I forsee with the dremel work of grinding it off is then getting in there to grind off the nut as well since the dumb sodding idiot welded it in. The amount if "fun" that can be created in thirty years of people owning something is amazing.

Oh well, another round of fun, and a trip to the hardware store. But at least it is going to be 65 deg today so I can ride to the hardware store and maybe take a couple hour detour while I am out.

[oldyam80sg]

The local Sears hardware store by me just closed because of high rent issues!I would try to chisel or cut it off!Good Luck!

[DGXSER]

Tried the 13 mm socket and it would not go on it, the fractional inch size between them went on but just continued the rounding process. Sooo....The dremel won the battle of the bolt. About four of their cutoff wheels later, but it was much to tight for my 4" grinder. A nice long trip to the hardware store and I have shiney new bolt with washers and a lock washer in that spot.

[oldyam80sg]

Good Job!Love the dremel tool for things like that.

[dbeardslee]

Don - I've got two tools in the mancave that might help. One is a nut buster that will break a rounded nut in two. The other is a craftsman bolt out set - works kind of like an EZ Out. I used them to get a lug nut off my Jeep that was completely rounded off and really frozen on good. I pounded a bolt out over the bolt with a 3 pound sledge, and used a 4' breaker bar to pop it loose. If you have enough access to the bolt, it shouldn't be a problem. If you want to borrow them, you know the way .

I should really read things more closely - looks like you already solved the problem. Good job.