Hex bolts...
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Borat Impersonator
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Borat Impersonator
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From: St Augustine, FL
Hex bolts...
Good evening everyone. Let me start off by saying that as of today, I am an official Rennlist Member 
Now, for my question. I am having trouble removing two of the 6mm hex bolts from the driver's side cam cover. One is the closest one to the rear and the other one is about halfway down the cover, right next to one of the PS hoses. Both are the ones inside the cover (top). They will not budge. I was able to remove the passenger's side with a L-shaped hex key and an adjustable wrench. For some reason, the adjustable wrench would slip everytime on the driver's side, so I devised a contraption out of a sawed off L-key and a 6mm socket. This worked great for all of the bolts except the two I mentioned above. All of the lower ones are already out. The 6mm socket was 1/4 drive, so I had to use a 1/4-3/8 adapter and a 3/8-1/2 adapter. When I tried the middle one, I snapped off the 1/4-3/8 adapter. Bought another one. Then the sawed off hex key turned into one of those barbershop poles. I tried using an L-key and a vise-grip wrench. No luck. I have sprayed about 1/8 of a can of PB'laster or whatever into the hole with a straw. Nope. I got a set of T shaped hex keys made by Husky. The 6mm was way too long. I'm considering hacking a piece of it off if I don't want to return them. All of the auto parts stores didn't carry long hex sockets. Does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking maybe that the cams pushing on the valve springs created extra force around those two bolts. Any help is appreciated.
Borys.
Now, for my question. I am having trouble removing two of the 6mm hex bolts from the driver's side cam cover. One is the closest one to the rear and the other one is about halfway down the cover, right next to one of the PS hoses. Both are the ones inside the cover (top). They will not budge. I was able to remove the passenger's side with a L-shaped hex key and an adjustable wrench. For some reason, the adjustable wrench would slip everytime on the driver's side, so I devised a contraption out of a sawed off L-key and a 6mm socket. This worked great for all of the bolts except the two I mentioned above. All of the lower ones are already out. The 6mm socket was 1/4 drive, so I had to use a 1/4-3/8 adapter and a 3/8-1/2 adapter. When I tried the middle one, I snapped off the 1/4-3/8 adapter. Bought another one. Then the sawed off hex key turned into one of those barbershop poles. I tried using an L-key and a vise-grip wrench. No luck. I have sprayed about 1/8 of a can of PB'laster or whatever into the hole with a straw. Nope. I got a set of T shaped hex keys made by Husky. The 6mm was way too long. I'm considering hacking a piece of it off if I don't want to return them. All of the auto parts stores didn't carry long hex sockets. Does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking maybe that the cams pushing on the valve springs created extra force around those two bolts. Any help is appreciated.
Borys.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Minneapolis
Interesdting...
If all the other bolts are out then try putting a couple back in. Could be jamming it.
I'm surprised that it's the top bolts as those are in an oil bath. I'd keep at it but make sure to not strip the heads. Drilling those out would create a real mess of the chips. I use a similar set-up with a 3/8" 6mm socket with a cut-off hex wrench.
When I did this the first time, I was eventually happy to have some break. Although the shop wanted $1 per minute to remove the bolts, it was money well spent.
If all the other bolts are out then try putting a couple back in. Could be jamming it.
I'm surprised that it's the top bolts as those are in an oil bath. I'd keep at it but make sure to not strip the heads. Drilling those out would create a real mess of the chips. I use a similar set-up with a 3/8" 6mm socket with a cut-off hex wrench.
When I did this the first time, I was eventually happy to have some break. Although the shop wanted $1 per minute to remove the bolts, it was money well spent.
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From: Boulder Creek, CA
Good idea, Glen. Another thing you might try is put a wrench on the fastener, and find some way to hold torque on it... c-clamps, rope, whatever. Leave it overnight. It might be loose in the morning.
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Try inserting the hex socket into the bolt head and then tap on it with a hammer a few times. I suspect the bolt is frozen in the threads. (ie, the problem is not friction between the bolt head and the cam cover which could be relieved by drillion the head off and using an easy out). Therefore, applying too much torque may break the bolt, or worst, strip the threads out of the block. If the engine is still in running condition, let it get up to operating temperature. and also use the tap on the bolt head trick. Try it several times before you give up......
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From: The Vacation State
What about the socket style hex? They are cheap at harbor freight. Then you can use the universal and an extention for the tough angels and added leverage.
I had trouble with oil filler housing and the 6 mm hex bolts wouldn't budge with the L hex. The socket was rigid enough to break the bolt free.
I had trouble with oil filler housing and the 6 mm hex bolts wouldn't budge with the L hex. The socket was rigid enough to break the bolt free.
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Rez: I found that by hitting the "stop" button I could determine the bathmate (Mate not mat) in your icon is wearing a bra. Hand eye coordination is a wonderful thing. But you really shouldn't cheat us that way. 
More, more.
More, more.
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From: AZ
I couldn't find the exact hex head shown in the picture (the Mac Tools guy can get them), here are some close examples:
http://thetoolnetwork.com/hazet_985_...en_socket.html
http://thetoolnetwork.com/3_8_dr_lon..._sf2049_5.html
http://thetoolnetwork.com/hazet_985_...en_socket.html
http://thetoolnetwork.com/3_8_dr_lon..._sf2049_5.html
Instructor
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From: Auckland, New Zealand
I treat all hex bolts as expendable items - most bolts cost less than $5. They are pigs of things to work with as the centres strip out too easily. In one desperate attempt to get one out I used a fine cold chisel and the trusty hammer. Just sit the chisel on the top of the bolt and tap lightly until it loosens. The bolt is stuffed but alot more practical than buying/ wrecking/ hacking substitute tools.
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I cut and paste from a post i made earlier in the week....This is about as ugly as it can get.
Taking the valve covers off.
25 of 26 bolts come out effortlessly. I had learned my lessons previously in removing the cam cover bolts, the HEADS STRIP EASILY. Being careful and exact...number 26, yes, the last one, WILL NOT BUDGE...the head eventually strips and become useless. Murphys Law dictates where the bolt needs to be located.
Step back, curse a bit as it had taken me but 10 minutes to pull the other 25 and the other cover off.
I even managed to get a slot cut in the head and a 90' screw driver on it..but no luck
A beer, a grinder, some water and away I go.
got the notch cut.....no good
just enough room..i had to loosen the PS hose. Im sure i would have sliced it if i hadnt knowing my luck here this afternoon.
got it carefully ground flush in about 15minutes
a pair of angle needle nose pliers under the cover, prying it up and off
The SOB standing there like some sort of statue!! Ha...i won though!
A pair of vice grips and it twisted out effortlessly!
Like said, if it aint one thing, its another. NOTHING IS A SIMPLE AS IT SEEMS with this car.
Hopefully this may help someone else in the future!
Gotta love airtools!
25 of 26 bolts come out effortlessly. I had learned my lessons previously in removing the cam cover bolts, the HEADS STRIP EASILY. Being careful and exact...number 26, yes, the last one, WILL NOT BUDGE...the head eventually strips and become useless. Murphys Law dictates where the bolt needs to be located.
Step back, curse a bit as it had taken me but 10 minutes to pull the other 25 and the other cover off.
I even managed to get a slot cut in the head and a 90' screw driver on it..but no luck
A beer, a grinder, some water and away I go.
got the notch cut.....no good
just enough room..i had to loosen the PS hose. Im sure i would have sliced it if i hadnt knowing my luck here this afternoon.
got it carefully ground flush in about 15minutes
a pair of angle needle nose pliers under the cover, prying it up and off
The SOB standing there like some sort of statue!! Ha...i won though!
A pair of vice grips and it twisted out effortlessly!
Like said, if it aint one thing, its another. NOTHING IS A SIMPLE AS IT SEEMS with this car.
Hopefully this may help someone else in the future!
Gotta love airtools!
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Borat Impersonator
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Borat Impersonator
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 39
From: St Augustine, FL
Thread Starter
Official Rennlist
Borat Impersonator
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Borat Impersonator
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 39
From: St Augustine, FL