Big problem with mani bolt

[sganc4life_4]

Well, I got the stud and 2 bolts off my stock manifold, but I stripped the last one and broke 2 sockets in the process....is using a torch the only way to get it off??? I sprayed it with wd40 for about 5min a few different times and it rounded off after it dried. Im so pissed....ne ideas or fixes to this problem?

[lorddarkice]

...get an air hammer and hammer it off. it will turn no problem. ...or, get a socket that almost fits, and a hammer. just know that you will be replacing that socket.

[sganc4life_4]

Air hammer?? Im not to familiar with air tools

But with a smaller socket and a hammer would work??? wouldnt that just crack the smaller socket to where it wants to twist and pops off?

[96spyderman]

No it shouldn't split if it is a little bit smaller.... usually if the nut/bolt is metric you will need to find a standard socket.... or vice versa
Basically you are pressing the socket onto the head of the bolt/nut.
FYI... an air hammer is another name for an impact wrench... they work great for busting hard to get rusted shit

[sganc4life_4]

Thanks, Im gonna try that tomorrow...also if I put back the stud and 2 of the bolts instead of 3, will that be safe enough for like a week or 2?

[gthompson97]

actually an air hammer is more like what it sounds, a "hammering" action. an air wrench is the impact wrench.

[joemathews]

I'm not sure I understand the problem exactly. If I'm reading it right, you have one turbo to manifold bolt left that is stripped and still in the manifold/housing. Consider yourself lucky--this happened to me with three bolts.

You just have to keep turning it. And turning it, and turning it, and turning it. Try to get a screwdriver/crowbar/open ended wrench underneath the head of the bolt and pry it up as you are unscrewing it. Eventually you will wear all of the threads off of the bolt, and it will come out. This is a huge PITA, but it works.



It will eventually come out. You'll then have to get the housing helicoiled at a machine shop; shoudl only cost you $10 or so, and it will be stronger in the future. Then, buy all new OEM turbo to manifold bolts.

Good luck...

[gthompson97]

i think what his problem is that the bolt won't move and he has rounded off the head. you could TRY the socked & hammer method but it might not work.

what i would do:

soak the stud down with PB Blaster and let it sit overnight. spray it again about a 1/2 hr before trying to remove it. spray it again 5 min before. get a good sized vice grip (not the dinkey fuckers, you'll have alot of force on it) and clamp that thing on as tight as you can get it. pull/push with all your strength and it should come loose. the trick is to soak the bolt/nut with PB Blaster overnight and then a couple times before working on it. works wonders for me.

[sganc4life_4]

Well, today is a new day , im gonna try everything possible....so would 2 bolts and a stud work ok for a week or 2??

[sganc4life_4]

holy crap!! Ive tried torch, pb blaster, wd40, air tools, and good ole man power....and it hasnt came off....wtf can i do lol or what am i doing wrong

[joemathews]

This thread is a lesson in using 6 point sockets on highly torqued bolts, and flare nut wrenches on line fittings!

If you use big enough vice grips, and clamp down on it tightly enough, you should be able to break it loose still by turning it. When I read your post the first time, I thought you had stripped the threads, not the head of the bolt.

If you use only 2 bolts and a stud to hold your turbo on, you will likely still have a small exhaust leak at the turbo to mani gasket that will blow your gasket and warp your turbine to manifold flange on the turbo. Or the manifold. Or both.

[sganc4life_4]

I think what Im gonna have to do is either take it to a shop and get new bolts, or wait until I drop a new engine in it in a couple of years, Im gonna call a few auto buddies on monday to see what they can do. Ill make sure to mention everything u guys said, thanks a lot for all the help

[sganc4life_4]

by the way the 2 sockets i cracked/bent inside were 6 point sockets

[joemathews]

Time to buy a set of Craftsman tools...that should never happen to a decent socket. It might be time to take the car to a shop and see what they can do. Good luck with it.

[96spyderman]

shop time....