Stuck Skit Plate Bolts

[satek]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post and I appreciate all the information that this forum has.

I am starting to install a transmission cooler to prevent the strawberry milkshake issue, but the front 3 bolts on the skit plate are simply not coming off.

I sprayed WD-40 and hammered it a little bit, but whenever I go to ratchet it off, the socket keeps slipping off.

Anyone have any tips for me?

Thanks

 

[quicksilvr]

If the bolt heads are rounded, then you'll need to either pound a slightly too small socket onto them, or sharpen the edges back up with a grinder or dremel.

It sounds like even if the socket would hold, they are rusty enough that you'd just twist the bolt head off anyway. Meaning, you might be just as well off to simply drill them all out right from the get go, and get some new stainless bolts from the hardware store.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Are you using a 6 point socket? A 12 point will strip it real quick. Also use a breaker bar as ratchets cant handle that kind of torque.

 

[rjaudi]

Use a 6 point socket for sure and the nut that the bolt goes through is welded to the radiator support. I would recommend spraying the nut from above with pb blaster multiple times. Hopefully that will work. I had to deal with some broken bolts right there and it ain't fun. Definitely get new bolts when you are done either from a dealer or a hardware store. They are m8x1.25 thread.

 

[satek]

Wow, quick responses!

Yes, I am using a 6 point socket but I think I rounded off the edges on it by now =\. It doesn't feel tight anymore.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestions, will put them to use.

 

[Buckaroo]

Rounded Off Skid Plate Bolts

Dealt with one of these recently - very bad location to round of a bolt. Drilled the center of the bolt head using successively larger drills until I reached 1/4" - only to the depth of the head. The head came off the bolt and the plate dropped (be patient - time consuming). I was then able to soak it good with pentrating oil and got on the stub of the bolt with a pair of vice grip - it came out relatively easily.

 

[KHoffRunner]

the previous owner broke off some rusty bolts on mine, what size drill bit are yall using?