Stripped bolt

[spcterry]

Hey guys,
  I've got the biggest PIA bolt that is stripped and I can't get it. I've used vise grips, sockets, pliers, I even bought this special socket designed to fit over it and that didn't work. Any ideas?

[Charger1973]

What bolt?  Did you try those sockets that have a curve inside them and are designed to grip rounded off bolt heads?  I have had very good luck with these in the past.  Or is it the threads that are stripped?

[spcterry]

Here is a picture of the offending bolt. It is just the bolt head that is stripped, the special socket I tried using is slightly larger than the bolt head itself and has little teeth that are supposed to bite into it the only problem is that no amount of hammering convinced it to slide over and bite into it!

[Charger1973]

Try these.  They are Irwin brand.  I was very impressed with them. 

[Chatt69chgr]

Soak it in Kroil or another penetrant for a week.  You also might try gently heating the head and the squirting a penetrating lubricant on the bolt.  Try to get it behind the plate.  Those waterpump bolts can really get rusted in place and oftentimes they just snap off.

[spcterry]

Thanks everyone, Charger1973 thanks for the tip I went and got them and had it off in five minutes

[Charger1973]

Thanks everyone, Charger1973 thanks for the tip I went and got them and had it off in five minutes

Cool!  Glad it worked for you.  Those things really come in handy in times like that.   

[Nacho-RT74]

never saw before that kind of socket !!!!

[Charger1973]

never saw before that kind of socket !!!!

Me either until recently but i'm glad I gave them a shot.   

[terrible one]

never saw before that kind of socket !!!!

Me either until recently but i'm glad I gave them a shot.   

Where can I find a set of these?

[Charger1973]

Im not sure anymore but I bet spcterry can tell you.   

[spcterry]

Surprisingly I was able to pick mine up at the local autozone here in Arlington, TX so even if yours doesn't have any they should be able to order some for you.

[spcterry]

They are also really good at getting really stuck bolts off as well

[The70RT]

Sears has them (craftsman) I bought a set of 4 for like $25 I think. I used it on a lugnut

[timmy]

never saw before that kind of socket !!!!

Me either until recently but i'm glad I gave them a shot.   

Where can I find a set of these?

those sockets are really nice they work very well  i have a set of them i got mine from mac tool  truck they cost me about 90 bucks but i bet you can get they cheaper some where else

[terrible one]

Perfect. I'll go look tomorrow. My rear lugs are thrashed because whoever tried to get them off at first didn't know that they were left hand thread. . .