Torque Converter Bolt help

[lspann3525]

Im doing a rear main seal replacement on my 08 z71 again. Everything was going smoothly to I got to the torque converter bolts. I got 2 of them out but the 3rd started to strip and even the hex key is started to strip as well. Anyone have any suggestion or methods to get this bastard out?

 

[j91z28d1]

can you get a pic of how bad the bolt head is?

some of the newer designs wrenches do a good job on mildly stripped bolt heads. if the threads are stripped, I'm guessing you'd have to pull it. I don't honestly don't know if something like a heli coil thread repair insert would throw off the balance enough to matter or not.

 

[lspann3525]

the head of the bolt is rounded the socket fits on the head but slips with impact. tried the allen key its starting to round too...

any good way to lock the engine i want to try breaker bar

 

[j91z28d1]

they sell a tool that you remove the starter and bolt in place to lock the engine form turning.

my experience is if you've stripped the hex to round the internal hex isn't going to be stronger.

I believe vim makes a type of hex drive that you can pound into a socket head screw and it bites much harder than your standard Allen.

stuff like the lank drive box end get good reviews die saving stripped bolts.

and vim tools has a line of Allens they call grip edge that is said to bit way harder than standard Allen wrench.

GripEdge G-FORS Broken Bolt Extractor Set - 14PC Foreign Object Removal System https://share.google/AhYV9kScfBvLLFZik
they look like a torx bit. but they say you pound them in, and they bite into a fresh part of the bolt.

 

[lspann3525]

I forgot all about that locking tool.

The GripEdge is very expensive. Not really trying to have the truck down that long.

I have a extractor socket set that I can hammer on to it ill use this as a last resort.

 

[donjetman]

Im doing a rear main seal replacement on my 08 z71 again. Everything was going smoothly to I got to the torque converter bolts. I got 2 of them out but the 3rd started to strip and even the hex key is started to strip as well. Anyone have any suggestion or methods to get this bastard out?

Heat/torch on the bolt will weaken the locktite that the factory used, and/or the right tools. Here is what I used: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...-etc-07-yukon-denali-6-2.108334/#post-1291646

 

[lspann3525]

Last time I removed the tc bolts they came out pretty easy with impact. when I reinstalled I used probably too much locktite.. If you was to use a torch would you heat it thru the tc access hole or the starter location??

I was thinking of heating the bolt with torch then using bolt extractor that you hammer to the head of bolt..if that doesnt work I was thinking air chisel?


Or remove trans with tc still attached to flywheel?

 

[mikez71]

It should slide out?

Unless there isn't enough space to pull the trans back that far?

 

[SpareParts]

I would heat it through the starter motor hole with a map gas torch. Probably won't take a lot of heat though.

 

[lspann3525]

didnt wanna go the torch method since the truck is under my garage. Do they make any tiny dremels that will cut the head off the bolt?

 

[rdezs]

For future reference....heat with a pencil torch first, to release loctite. (Doesn't take much) Break loose by hand, not with impact.

If the head is destroyed, you'll need a 90 degree drill with reverse bits. Lock the flywheel down. The reverse drill bit will grab eventually, as you start small and keep increasing size.

If your drill is off center, and the threads get ruined.... either replace TC, or repair by drilling and tapping next size up. (If there's enough material to support this) Then do the same to the other 2 for balance.

Space is the issue in doing this.

If you decide to pull the engine or trans, simply grind the bolt head off.

 

[rdezs]

Air die grinder, $20 harbor freight. Bits, also inexpensive.

 

[lspann3525]

Exactly what im looking for this will be my 2nd option. what type of attachments are those?

I found a mobile welder near me thats suppose to stop by and see if he can weld a nut onto it.

 

[lspann3525]

The welder was able to weld the hex key to it but it ended up snapping once I started applying pressure.

I went ahead and removed the transfer case and got all the bolts to the transmission removed except the top 1

 

[lspann3525]

got all bolts removed damn trans seems to be stuck..ill give it another try tomorrow..once I pull the trans im going to try to grind the bolt head off if that fails probably end up cutting the torque converter

 

[donjetman]

or the starter location??

starter location

 

[lspann3525]

what type of cutting wheel do yall recommend to cut the torque converter bolt using air die grinder?

Also picked up the set of 2" genuine solid carbide burrs for 75.00 looking for a cheaper burr or cutting wheel that will do the job

 

[lspann3525]

https://www.harborfreight.com/diamond-rotary-cutting-discs-5-pack-69657.html

 

[lspann3525]

 

[solli5pack]

If you can get a grabber socket on it high heat then hit it with cold water. Do this a couple of times. It's worked for every stuck bolt I've delt with.