stipped the oil plug bolt...whats the best method of getting it out?

[platinumike]

If i drill into the bolt, it could possibly get metal in the sump. Should i try knocking it with a hammer and chisel or will that just knock the head off? I also cant find any place that has this damn bolt, dealer is open tommorow, hopefully they got it.

 

[iamwiz82]

Get a socket one size smaller and hammer that SOB on there, then use your rachet. Kiss teh socket goodbye, though.

 

[platinumike]

fvk its my dad's socket. I'd hate to do that, but that sounds like an ok idea.

 

[Nebor]

An impact grade socket should be able to handle that no problem.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: platinumike
fvk its my dad's socket. I'd hate to do that, but that sounds like an ok idea.

Buy him a new one. If it's a craftsman, take it back to Sears.

 

[dwcal]

You mean stripped the hex head? Try vice grips. It's safe to drill the head off too, but not easy because the drain bolt is so big. Pick a drill bit about the same size as the screw part of the bolt and drill straight into the head. When the head falls off you can easily unscrew the rest of it. But vice grips will probably work.

 

[shilala]

WD-40 it and let it sit all night.
Honk the vice grips on it and let her fly.
A pipe wrench is even a better option.

 

[platinumike]

ok im gonna try again with a vice, if that doesnt work im gonna knock it hammer style, then drill it.

 

[bmacd]

vice grips and pb blaster all the way.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Ophir]

What about welding/soldering a wrench to it?

 

[blahblah99]

Sounds like your focked... get a new oil pan.

 

[Black88GTA]

Try using a Dremel type tool with a cut off wheel on it to cut parallel flats into the head...then get it off with a wrench. If you can't find any that fit it nicely (unlikely) then use an adjustable. It'll spin right out. I've gotten many a stripped bolt out with this method.

good luck.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Try using a Dremel type tool with a cut off wheel on it to cut parallel flats into the head...then get it off with a wrench. If you can't find any that fit it nicely (unlikely) then use an adjustable. It'll spin right out. I've gotten many a stripped bolt out with this method.

good luck.

much easier to cut a slot in the bolt head and use a large straight screwdriver

 

[klah]

Put a rag around it and hammer on a pipe wrench.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Try using a Dremel type tool with a cut off wheel on it to cut parallel flats into the head...then get it off with a wrench. If you can't find any that fit it nicely (unlikely) then use an adjustable. It'll spin right out. I've gotten many a stripped bolt out with this method.

good luck.

much easier to cut a slot in the bolt head and use a large straight screwdriver

True...although you can't put very much torque on a screwdriver. That's a good method for small fasteners. If that bolt is really in there good, the screwdriver will either break, or you will simply be unable to budge it.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Try using a Dremel type tool with a cut off wheel on it to cut parallel flats into the head...then get it off with a wrench. If you can't find any that fit it nicely (unlikely) then use an adjustable. It'll spin right out. I've gotten many a stripped bolt out with this method.

good luck.

much easier to cut a slot in the bolt head and use a large straight screwdriver

True...although you can't put very much torque on a screwdriver. That's a good method for small fasteners. If that bolt is really in there good, the screwdriver will either break, or you will simply be unable to budge it.

oil plugs generally aren't very tight. Usually people strip them out because they try to turn them the wrong way...

 

[Eli]

Yeah, you're going to need more torque than cutting a slot and using a screwdriver will give.

Try a vice grips and a hammer. Lock them on there good, and then beat the vice grips in the direction of loosening.

Next time, use the correct size socket.

 

[cavemanmoron]

If you have stripped the outside of the oil drain plug,

STOP doing anything to it.

Take it to a REAL mechanic,and pay them to remove it.

$20 labor to remove the bad bolt;
is cheaper than $300 for a new oil pan,installed.

Next time go to the mechanic to get the oil changed.

 

[Bozono]

Like Dwcal said, the Vice Grips. They'll either get it off or snap the head.

 

[DrPizza]

pipe wrench?

 

[Ulfwald]

Dremel tool, make a single cut into the bolt head, turning it into a flat head screw. get a big screw driver and back it out slowly.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: Ulfwald
Dremel tool, make a single cut into the bolt head, turning it into a flat head screw. get a big screw driver and back it out slowly.

That was already mentioned an hour and a half ago. The way I see it, If you have to ask, then you should probably take it to a mechanic.

 

[Ulfwald]

Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge

Originally posted by: Ulfwald
Dremel tool, make a single cut into the bolt head, turning it into a flat head screw. get a big screw driver and back it out slowly.

That was already mentioned an hour and a half ago. The way I see it, If you have to ask, then you should probably take it to a mechanic.

So true, so true.

 

[Analog]

a screw driver will never give you enough torque. I would use a grinder and flatten out the edges so another socket will work.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Wow this just hasn't been your car's week has it?
I would agree with what other have said and dremmel the edges flat so a socket or wrench can get a grip.
If that doesn'w work break out ye olde vice grips.