P-daddy

Ok, I started on my winter project last night. Car has been on jacks for several days now. Garage pre-heated to about 60F. I started with removal of muffler. Then I went to attempt to loosen all 11 bolts on the LVC. Surprisingly, all bolts broke loose without too much hassle, until I get to the "bitch" bolt right behind the heat exchanger pipe. I even removed the rubber hose to ease access, but that little sucker won't budge. I started all the bolts by just slightly tighten them a tad to break the bond, then backed them out with ease. With no room to fit my 5mm socket on the "bitch" bolt, I used an L shaped allen instead. I'm afraid I may round the head if too much force is used. Any advice on getting this sucker out?

User 122821

I've hit the bolt with long extension and a light hammer just to shock the threads. And then just used steady pressure on the allen wrench. It's nerve racking.

tommyg

Spray it with some PB Blaster and let it sit for a bit... or see if you can get a nail set on it to advance or break free.

No HTwo O

What if you put the 10 bolts back in. Snug them up. Then try to remove the "bith bolt" first, followed by the other remaining 10?

I have no farking clue.

Quadcammer

thats not a bad idea if the loose cover was causing significant binding, but given that its likely "stuck" a bit to the cam carrier and weighs practically nothing anyway, its likely not going to help.


My opinion: HEAT and penetrating oil

oh and clean out any dirt from the allen head so that you can fully seat the wrench.

IXLR8

Will a 5 mm stubby 1/4" drive socket fit with a 1/4" breaker bar or ratchet? I can get you the overall dimensions when I get home. PM me if you want me to.



The other option is to use a 5 mm hex L-wrench of good qaulity and to cut it down to size (using a chop saw).

I had my heat exchangers/manifolds off when I did this job.

TRINITONY

Put them all back in and drive over to AOW's house...lol...just kidding... GL!

No HTwo O

Maybe this is why it was leaking/weaping?

shadow993

I had something similar. Sprayed with lubricant and used allen wrench with a cheater bar.

Great idea, putting the old bolts back in.

P-daddy

The bolts are still in. I only broke it loose maybe 1/2 a turn.

I'm using a combination of 5mm 3/8" and 1/4" hex socket and swivel. I'm not sure even a stubby will work.

Hmm.....that's not a bad idea LOL! He's only 15 min away. AOW probably has his entire car disassembled and scattered parts all over the garage to give them a good polish.

Jeff96-993

It won't fit. No socket will. However SK makes a tool for 1/4" hex keys, with a low profile ratchet, that works great. Critical point is low profile ratchet and ability to accept a 1/4" hex key with a 5mm hex bit.

P-daddy

Ah, great idea on the cheater bar. I will give it a try

P-daddy

Woohoo...got it! Used a little extension for more leverage and firm pressure. Bolt head undamaged. I'm replacing them with new ones anyway.

Quadcammer

screw boss for the win

No HTwo O

Wonder if P-daddy got that for Boss' Day?