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I was in the process of replacing the rear shock on one of my frames, to do this I had to obviously take the old shock off, an incredibly easy task I thought, having done it before on numerous occasions to carry out servicing etc... however...
In the weight saving wisdom of the bike manufacturer they have fitted alu bolts on the upper and lower shock attachments, both of these bolts completely rounded off before I could loosen them. I have managed to remove the lower bolt as it had an exposed nut on the other side, however, the upper bolt is recessed and screws into the linkage and is completely rounded. I tried cutting a slot in the bolt and then unscrewing with a flat head screwdriver but the bolt is sooo soft these just ate right through the bolt scouring out an even bigger hole!
What's the best (and safest) way to remove said bolt? It's M8 so of a reasonable size. I've never had to use an 'easy out' kit but was thinking of buying a kit, was hoping that the hardened steel bits might easily cut into the cheese soft alu bolt and get a good grip to remove the darn thing!
Thoughts?
your going to have to drill and use a tap to reverse it out.
also suggest laying the frame so the threads are upwards and putting some plusgas, wd40 or gasgas on it to loosen the bolt overnight
This is what you want....[url= http://www.trssupplies.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=29784 ]Irwin Bolt Grips.[/url]
HTH
i have a set of those bolt grips they are very good.
i take it its an allen socket cap bolt? I normally hammer a torx into the previous allen key fitment socket. Torx is ever slightly bigger than the equivalent 8mm allen key so it cuts its own fitting in the head and you can just turn them out with a socket.
WTF i suspect it's to small a space to get the bolt socket in, they normally (excuse me if i am wrong) recess those bolts (like in my heckler) and you can't get a bloom socket in, i;ve had to knock a torx bit into one of those bolts before to get it out..
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sorry it's so big
basically your options are hammer a torx bit into it or tap it with reversing bits
search halfords for screw extractor if this link doesn't work
[url= http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_216735_langId_-1_categoryId_165572 ]http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_216735_langId_-1_categoryId_165572[/url]
Square type screw extractor are much better than the reverse screw type. Harder to get hold of.