5 Easy Tricks HOW to Remove Rounded Stripped Allen Hex Bolts FCA Screw

[@The3chordwonder]

To make it more real, cover it in rust, make it cold outside, and give yourself 1 inches of space to work. Or do as I do. To remove the fastener...Take 5 of your tools and throw them away. Sit in the corner for 4 hours. Take a hammer and bust up the area around the fastener. Make sure your finger gets cut. Then, weld a nut on it, making sure to overheat something next to the bolt. Make sure you strip the treads on that welded nut, and then, go out and buy a cobalt drill bit (Way bigger than the fastener) and drill out everything, ruining the part. Then, order a new part. Easy peazy! :) Seriously though, I've used the torx bit hammered in the hole several times before. For me, the ez-outs either don't grab, or they shatter. But it's probably because I have cheap ones.

[@petruse8893]

My sentiment exactly, doing the suggested " unscrewing" in a tight space,on a rusty bolt rarely works as one wishes.It ends usually with the screw head broken evenly ,flush with a surface

[@goldbunny1973]

LOL!!!!

[@MrRicoRelz]

my entire mood in one comment lol

[@michaelschwab9563]

😂🤣🤣

[@Tylek101]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@714playboys]

Thank you so much! My boyfriend and I were struggling with a stubborn stripped screw for HOURS. Went home, searched for help on KZbin, came across your video, went back, tried one of your suggestions and BAM out in 1 minute! I am so grateful for your help sir!

[@jazlynn011]

Yea. I'm still in the bind

[@dsavage5773]

So glad I watched this. Had a $45 dollar crimp tool with interchangeable jaws held in place by two button head socket head cap screws(learned that lingo from you). One of the screws was frozen in place and I stripped hex attempting removal. Tried tapping in a triple square driver per your recommendation and it too stripped. Went to yet a larger diameter triple square driver tapped into place and VOILA, with a distinct click, out came the sticky screw. Until I get a replacement screw, I'll just store the triple square driver with the crimping tool. Made my day.

[@andybritton1376]

Absolute hero! Worked on a bolt I’d been raging over for hours - thanks!

[@stooperman1]

Tried your star hex into my hex bolt hammered in unscrewed worked perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No more drilling for me!!!! Great video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Jolie12Fille]

Thank you! I was desperate and thinking of buying a whole new bed because of one stripped hex screw but you save me the trouble!

[@lewbass]

Used a torx bit and the stripped hex nut came out easily. Thanks so much for the tips!

[@tristanaiken3849]

Been trying to get a hex bolt loose for 3 days until I came across this. Just so happen to have a torx bit socket set on hand. Worked easy the first time. Thanks bro

[@instantlife]

Some good choices. One thing to remember is esp with cars, you might have very little clearance so hammering or using an impact wrench might not even be possible.

[@danieldoll4721]

People who actually work on stuff and not just make veidos know this.

[@martinhoude3518]

It's not even just cars. MOST stripped screws, bolts and nuts are in tight places, because they are harder to properly reach in the first place. Yet, most examples have a cleanly accessible bolt... In my case, the hex screw is in a toddler three-wheel step, in a hole, surrounded by plastic. I'm not a guy with multiple bits ratchet bits of every kind either, so sacrificial bits are not my forte. I don't have a welding kit either. In fact, the sacrificial hex key (the low-quality kind coming with whatever purchase you make, like the freaking wheels of the very step in my case) being glued to the bolt seems the best option...

[@sundown798]

Well done! Cutting the groove slit into the faster with a Dremel or a drill to cut as deep as you can then using a wide flat screwdriver or chisel to extract is one of the best hacks with limited tools when all else fails. :)

[@mar4elo999]

Flexing screw head and using flat head screwdriver worked best for me. Great video, thanks for advice

[@jdchmiel]

Cringed at all the hammering on your digital torque wrench.

[@ClientGraphics]

They are fairly hardy as it’s just a 3” extension with strain gauges. I’d be more worried about dropping it and cracking the lcd or housing. For what they are they are pretty cheap and highly accurate and I can throw it in my certified one any time to validate it’s still good.

[@kevinjohnson5389]

Im glad i wasnt the only one who got shiver down my spine when i saw that

[@chrisixer9524]

Yeah me too

[@wiggyb854]

Me too🥺😳

[@PreciStrike_96]

What about Welding on it lol?

[@kwakukumi4729]

Yeah!!!!! You are a genius. It worked. I've been trying to remove this f#cking screw forever!!! Countless videos and this one worked!!! Thank you!!!! Dude. Thanks.

[@oreotookie]

Thank you so much! I used the torx method and it worked like a charm. Great $4 spent.

[@thelatenightbar]

Thanks for the help ! Had a couple of stripped Allen hex bolts that I couldn't get out. found something close that could fit, and hammered it in a bit... was able to get 'em right out !

[@AslanBehar]

I removed the damaged torque bolt by hammering a bigger size torx bit inside it and then removed easily.

[@tjr8063]

Yes use one of them when a hex is tripped. Works wonders

[@1100STrider]

The Torx bit did the trick. It was a bolt/screw for a motorbike fork and it was inset deep. Thanks so much for the great ideas!

[@tubeo94]

I came back to this video to tell you that: After scouting the internet for 2 fucking years, the triple square FUCKING WORKS. The clearance is 5” it was impossible to drive anything in, any bolt extractor would be too long. But you came along with the mighty triple square. I thought i would spend hundreds to get it out but sir you saved me.

[@humgar]

I stripped one of these metric hex bolts by using imperial wrench on a hex cap bolt with loctite on it. When I was about to use one of these destructive methods you suggested, I recalled I have a pair of Vampilers and it worked.

[@johnbossom2291]

Thanks! Drilling out the center of the hex bolt then tapping in a triple square did the trick!

[@brendanmatelan2129]

I had a unique situation where a Holster I had was attached with Hex heads on a pancake head screw was striped. I ended up taking a dremel tool to cut out a groove to then take a flat head screwdriver to loosen it. Worked Perfectly. The screw was probably over tightened by the last owner and maybe held in place with some loctite.

[@postbyte1]

I love the video. Most of the techniques used here are the common techniques I generally use. There's only one caveat to any of this is if you are working with clearance issues.

[@seansimon9114]

That’s my issue lol, I’m doing plugs on my Acura MDX and I did 5 of them already and they all have these hex screws but the last one is stripped and it’s at the front so I have like 0 space to work with 😂

[@TinkerToneworks]

Guitar truss rod nuts are usually small hex nuts recessed like half an inch into the headstock of the guitar. it's HELL

[@marekryszard]

On a countersunk screw, the Torx bit method worked like a charm on my first atttempt. Thank you!

[@alexrobertson232]

I've got a rounded out M8 Triple Square Socket bolt to deal with, I think I'll look for a slightly bigger sized Hex bit and mallet that in before using the impact driver to try take it off. Interesting tricks and techniques, thanks for sharing !! A great and informative video.

[@TheBrendon67]

Did it work?

[@jameearl]

I doubted you for a minute the first couple didn’t work for me but you came thru in the end! Thanks

[@pospc2]

I use the torx method most often. Sometimes I will use the left hand drill bit to slightly drill the hole larger to go up a size in torx. Hammer it in about 1/8th of an inch. Take a 3/8 impact and feather the trigger while pressing hard on the back of the tool. Works most of the time. I find this works best with electronic impacts since they often can be made to go slower.

[@shegocrazy]

I've got an air impact driver. Is it a bit dangerous to use of these with a torx bit to remove stuck countersunk bolts? I don't want to make the situation worse than it already is. I could buy an electric driver with variable speed if it is more likely to work.

[@aries6776]

The only thing I would add is that you might find an imperial allen key works as an intermediate in a rounded out metric socket head. For example I have a M8 rounded out screw which needs an 6mm allen key but a 1/4" (6.35mm) would be easier to hammer in there than a 7mm allen key.

[@qwerty2008100]

I usually use the torx trick. A more unconventional method I've used was to hit it at an angle with a center punch. The point of the punch will dig into the screw, and the sudden shock works like an impact driver to break loose the fastener. You may need to hit it several times, working your way around the outside edge of the head.

[@ClientGraphics]

I have not personally tried that method due to time and patience. But I hear it can work.

[@aries6776]

Thanks for sharing. A good technique to have in the back pocket.

[@garettgullion]

that intro got me hyped to remove stripped bolts

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I use the torx bit sockets the most and triple squares the most for stuff like this

[@ClientGraphics]

They were both really impressive and the triple square was a real fun one to pull and jiggle out. 👌🏻

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Only problem with the pliers and grinder method is these socket Allen caps are usually recessed inside something so best bet most of the time is a torx or triple square bit socket but all of these are great methods good job Chris @ClientGraphics

[@ClientGraphics]

For sure that can be the difficulty. Thankfully they make long and extra long torx and triple squares🤣🤣

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@ClientGraphics exactly bro 💯

[@aries6776]

Yep the mechanic I take my car to has 'accidentally' completely butchered my recessed M8 brake disc screw (highly suspicious as he's very experienced), so when I went to replace my disks I hit a brick wall but I actually have a T45 bit in my tool box to try on it tomorrow!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@aries6776 best of luck getting that sucker out

[@Hoaxer51]

Here’s an old Red Green quote (you’ve probably heard one of his sayings like “A grinder and paint make me the welder I ain’t”) but this one fits this situation “Remember, I’m pulling for you. We’re all in this together”! Lol

[@wanderinggeri8477]

This video needs some kind of KZbin Oscar!

[@beckytobey2984]

Wow! You know a lot! I'm still trying to learn one screw from the other. 3 hours today trying to remove screw from top of doorframe. I have cussed many times

[@heywoodjabozoff9383]

Thanks for the ideas. if you use the screwdriver technique, using a vise grip on it can give more torque.

[@aries6776]

Just thought of a few more tips. In the real world it's likely to happen when you've got corrosion seizing the threads too. Use some penetrant anti-rust fluid up to 24 hours before. WD40 will work in a pinch but something like Boeshield although expensive works really well. Increasing torque and reducing friction are keys. And induction heaters can work well and more safely than blow torches to break the bind. Expand the bolt with heat and then quench it with water to rapidly contract and break that adhesion.

[@misfitgarageutah]

Hammering in a Torx is my go to for sure. Had to do that many many times before.

[@lberc20]

If the torx bit doesn’t work, I found that a flathead also works extremely well, if not better for some cases. I didn’t have a torx bit big enough, so I hammered in a flat head and it worked first try

[@lordmayonnaise9547]

this channel deserves 1M really good content, keep up the good work!

[@ClientGraphics]

Thanks Lord, appreciate the kind words.

[@cartijamfacevert371]

Three sides socket worked great thanks you saved my life ! My Allen bolt rounded on my e46 pressure plate lol

[@DIMTips]

I have started to use a torque wrench to get it right. Great video

[@DynastyJr]

This video made me realize i had the equipment i needed thank you

[@NEXTDIRECTIONSTUDIOS]

Just wanted to say big thanks for this video it helped me out I used the Torx bit and hammer and impact gun to remove allen key head cap from throttle body so thanks again

[@aarioshahbany8440]

Finally this worked for me. God bless you!

[@melvinstrike]

Thanks for your help. I hammered in a torx bit and was able to unscrew the bolt.

[@simonellis7071]

Thanks for the very helpful tips!! I can now attempt 2 x fastener on the worn disc , on my motorcycle. I never knew the various options. Much appreciated 🙏😊

[@CorvetteTrev]

All my fastners are usually flush. So I'd have no socket option. i.e. steering wheels, batteries, seat mounts... I'm always looking for the best to get them from the top only?

[@Ryan_1997]

I have a Allen bolt that’s stripped on the fork of my bike(Moto). lm Gona have to try these methods you used. Luckily it’s just one. Going to replace with hex heads when I get it removed. I tried welding a hex sock onto it, but it broke off. Unsure of what type of metal it is and I didn’t want to leave burn marks on the rim. Thanks for these demos 👍🏼

[@bradyoung07]

Yes mate thanks for the advice that little suckers out now thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@lilybean5068]

I ran into this problem on my sway bar linkage, next time I'll give these a go. Thank you sir for tips to try in a jam. As always great video.

[@ClientGraphics]

You never know when you can use these tips. Sway bar links are a good example since they can directly be in the elements with salt and other materials that cause them to rust and round out easier.

[@b.thompson9176]

Thanks so much for this video! Saved my butt on time, trying to simply remove some screws that were torqued down by the Hulk in some crappy Chinese manufacturing plant. So frustrating!

[@michaelkirsheyn5295]

May I know the model numbers of Ingerasoll Rand tool set and MAC RBRT tool set that you used in this video? Thx.

[@ezrider1967]

man the torx bit worked awesome! Thank you!

[@lxunalt]

Thank you so much for saving my bike brakes.

[@jilla8265]

im so jealous of this tool collection

[@maciekkk123]

Man thanks a lot, I had hard time with stripped hex 3mm bolt probably rounded close to 1/8" bolt and the T15 torx did the trick! :))

[@danr1920]

Not a real world test. Try it on a real car that has seen ten winters in Minnesota. These were all clean threads. When I did a brake job on my '14 car, the threads on the caliper were all brown rusted. Fortunately it was a bolt head.

[@wonderingelf-p6x]

How did you manage to get it out?

[@palerider6611]

Good advice here. Recently had a 5mm button head cap screw that someone put excessive red loctite on the thread. Tried several methods and ended up cutting off parts of the button head with a grinding wheel to make flats so that I could finally remove with vice grips.

[@ezrider1967]

sounds like the screws I stripped on my planer blade bar!

[@jimmimak]

I have a small M2 or M3 set or grub screw in my bike hydraulic fill/bleed hole. It is lock-tighted in so much by the factory that the normal hex key rounded it first try. I don't want to use heat because there's an o-ring and hydraulic fluid in there and plastic components around it. Do they make removal tools small enough for M2 set or grub screws? Another suggestion you didn't cover is to use adhesive like epoxy or JB weld to bond the hex key to the screw, but I like the idea of hammering in a larger bit.

[@caseymiller7297]

Really good video brother, this helped me out a lot. Thanks!

[@Analyzer52]

Thanks a lot the triple square worked for an over tightened factory drive shaft hex bolt that had loctite on it. Got me out of a jam.

[@EXPENDABLE50]

I've always used a hex bit and Hammered it down in the hole. I took out a exhaust manifold bolt that had snapped in half leaving the remnants in the valve head body, i drilled out a hole just big enough to fit the bit in snug and the rest was easy day. Have used that method several times now. Love your vids

[@mywork2355]

Got one unstuck by using the torx bit, thanks for the tip.

[@chessicahullum2896]

Why is this so relaxing to watch....😆. Anywho great video

[@shegocrazy]

This is really good. I have countersunk hex slot bolts they I want to get off. The hex slots are rounded so I'm going to try the torx bit method. Can you use an air powered impact driver or is that too aggressive? You can't control the speed of the impact driver. I'd buy an electric one if that was safer to use. I do have an impact drill so would that work as well as a dedicated impact driver?

[@ADDJT]

Those prices for those stainless steel bolts/screws are freaking amazing. I must be shopping at the wrong ace hardware stores.

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

I didn't see, but I have noticed that some areas of the country are WAY cheaper than mine!

[@HomeDefender30]

This is exactly the video I needed, I have two stripped and frozen Allen fasteners holding a thermostat in my motorcycle that has sat for nearly a decade… unfortunately all I have are the stripped Allen extractors and my Allen heads are too far gone or I don’t have the proper size, but I just can’t get the damn things out. Looks like I need to take a trip to the hardware store 😞

[@Velktron]

Those "mushroom head" Allen bolts are a real PITA. If they decide to seize, the torque necessary to dislodge them far exceeds not only what their -now stripped- slot could exercise, but also anything you can carve or try to grip them with. Bolt extractors are usually no good because of the mushroom's shallow depth, giving them no purchase. What has always worked for me was to simply drill through the bolt (with an undersized drill bit!) and THEN try to hanmer a bolt extractor in there. TONS of grip in this case, nothing otherwise

[@I.S_Lombrana]

Video sent from the heavens 🥲

[@danielschneider1663]

Thanks bro trying to fix my motorcycle and I have stripped exhaust bolts! Now I have a plan!

[@ClientGraphics]

Exhaust bolts heat and use a loosen and tightening method.

[@jimhaines8370]

Internal wrenching socket head cap screw is what I have seen listings for bolt people instead of Allen head. Bolts which is a brand as we know

[@xephael3485]

7:49 Please add the HF laser etched one to that review / test if you haven't filmed it already...

[@ClientGraphics]

I’m assuming you mean the Doyle branded one, right? Yes I have it and the regular Pittsburgh and an older Craftsman USA for fun. Still waiting for the Amazon one to come in so that one is a week or so out🤫

[@xephael3485]

@@ClientGraphics no... www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-professional-adjustable-wrenches-93943.html I believe ones above have better construction than normal Pittsburgh wrenches, perhaps even Doyle

[@shirleymedina2267]

Thanks! I used one of your suggestions and it worked!

[@danb5692]

Thank you for sharing these tip. Very helpful!

[@keshmo12]

I've never worked on anything that I needed a triple square for. Good video

[@ClientGraphics]

Triple square fasteners are commonly found on German vehicles such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and definitely Volkswagen.

[@נוחיחזקאל]

Fiat

[@Beanszo]

The torx/triple square seems like the cheapest and most reasonable option for me. Praying it works

[@bigdaddysshop8180]

I have a 6, 7, 10, 12 and 16" Knipex Plyers.. they are AMAZING.

[@knyshov]

Don’t forget the wonderful impact screwdrivers. :)

[@ClientGraphics]

Yup, definitely a must have item. I bought one years ago to remove fastener on older motorcycles.

[@omarmoncloa3415]

Great video man, very informative

[@ryangagliardo4501]

Hi, I have a woodchipper with pretty badly stripped allen bolts that are around 7mm big. What type of extractor would you recommend I try to get those out? Thank you-

[@subhachakraborti5880]

Useful info, thanks. Can you do a video on how to do the same on a buttonhead m6x70 mm bolt?

[@PeterPrestonUK]

I suspect you've just saved me a huge amount of cash! Thank you for the video and all the options. Looks like torx to the rescue for me.

[@PeterPrestonUK]

UPDATE: I couldn't find the torx tools so ended up cutting the slot and using the flat screwdriver, as much as anything because it was a tight space on a rotating cylinder so couldn't get enough purchase. Now I just have to figure out the dimensions for the replacement bolts...

[@HomerSparkle]

What if you have a heavily rusted and stripped bolt that's recessed? I literally don't have anything to grab on to. Do I have to just drill it out? What if it's so fused in there that I end up with a hollow rusty bolt stuck in a deep recess?

[@aarondavies8486]

Them first ones are sold here in England under sealey lock on been looking for a video like this to see how good they will be

[@RideAlongside]

I see you tightening it with the cobra pliers and I’m thinking, hmm...what about loosening it with those. Then you do. Ha!

[@marko11kram]

my thoughts too

[@Duey_diditGarage]

Good video really glad that the XTR is getting alot of use

[@ClientGraphics]

Kobalt XTR gets used a lot. When I need lots of power and torque it’s my go to 1/4” hex impact.

[@LaGataNegra3073]

I think the damaged fastener would come loose if the xtr just looks at it.

[@ApexRoyals]

Does it have to be an impact drill? Whomever assembled my mountain bike messed up the rear breaks and since they used power tools to assemble it, it came all pre stripped from head to toe(even the added accessories I had added were stripped.

[@aries6776]

Just resort to a ratchet handle and a hammer if you need to!

[@randombuilds8336]

The RBRT will remove a fully rounded fastener. Put it on a ratchet and tap it in with a hammer while applying force. Got a filter screen plug out of my KTM that way.

[@nelakendra2296]

Yep. Its pretty crazy. Amusingly enough, the RBRT speed star bits can actually bite harder on fully rounded fasteners than the hex ones. Similar thing to torx in a rounded hex but your torx is extra grippy due to the RBRT design and the ball end on the speed stars just love to lock themselves in there.

[@randombuilds8336]

@@nelakendra2296 I've only tried the RBRT hex so far. But I will say the basic metric set was worth every penny of the $100 I paid.

[@nelakendra2296]

@@randombuilds8336 they make a screw driver set too with 100-something RBRT bits, a ratcheting screw driver and t handle. That is probably my next purchase. I think it's about $200? Asides from that, RBRT are the only bit sockets I intend to buy him now on.

[@TJsVette]

Ok I have a inverted 12mm 12 point hex head bolt that has stripped on me. I have tried everything I can think of other than welding a nut on top (I don't think there is enough room to get a welder in to get that). What should I use to remove it? I'm at my wits end. It's literally the last bolt that I need to get out to take the head off the car and get the gasket replaced. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@TJsVette]

Also the head bolt when I went to take it out, I heard it pop like it broke loose but I think I slipped and thats when it stripped itself. I didn't have any issues with the rest of the bolts. The bolts are also very long like 10 in or so.

[@timwilliams2343]

Thanks. I ended up drilling out the sunken 8mm hex and then hammering on a 12mm triple square; the bugger came off once I'd got the ugga dugga onto it. 😊

[@johnmartinez5979]

Do I need to get a brushless tool impact? Can’t I just use my regular drill instead?

[@dinosaurcam]

THANK YOU! Triple Square worked and I didn't have to go buy anything.

[@RTD553]

Is that highly calibrated Quinn device OK with being hammered like that?

[@Kmac23YT]

I have a very small Allen/bolt in my red dot sight that it rounded what would you recommend for that? It’s very small.

[@djwmunro]

Work smarter not harder. Words to live by. By the way I think you meant to say impart not embark . Great video.

[@Chris-the-Saxon]

Th bolt im trying to remobebis so tight i twisted the allenkey. I may have to drill it out? It will be messy.

[@connorcampbell144]

How does it work when I have an m10 hex bolt that the head sits flush inside a hole?

[@marcosanchezponce]

From the metric tools part. What if that type of bolt is stripped? How can I remove that?

[@JustCreateYou]

No homo bro but I love you. 🤣 Amazing ass video !

[@thisisyaren]

hey man great video... I want to ask you though what triple square are you using in the video and also what mm hex is that you are trying to remove? thanks man!

[@blongsta5]

Replacing the diverter valve on my Audi A4 and stripped out 2 of the hex screws. Barely any room. Got one out with a vise grip and the other with Irwin bolt extractors