Stripped ATV hex head

[Matt Behnke]

Hi,

So I was adjusting the valves on my yamaha atv, and dumb me decided to use a standard allen wrench to get the valve cover off. I wasn't thinking that metric is all that would be on yamahas. So I stripped the head, and after using vise grips I could not get the screw off. I tried a dremel to make a slot for a screwdriver, but couldn't really fit one to get much torque on it since it is such a confined space. So what are my options now? I really wanna fix this by the weekend before I go offroading next. Thanks

 

[850xpeps]

Either weld something in top to remove it and replace it like another bolt head. Or cut it off to get the valve cover back off and get a good hold of it. Worst case drill it and easy out.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[LXCam]

Re: Stripped ATV hex headc

A picture would really help. But Astro makes a ratchet set of socket head units made to remove stripped fasteners. They work insanely well as long as you have not totally destroyed the bolt.



If you don't think that will work is there room to get a stud remover on it?

 

[kelpaso1]

If you have the room, pound a torx socket in the rounded allen head.

 

[oldmxracer]

I get to fix a lot of other people's screw up's of this type.

I usually take a punch or fine chisel to the outside edge where You can get a bite and tap it loose.

Hope this makes sense to You.

 

[Matt Behnke]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have seen that torx trick used before which I may try. That chisel idea is pretty smart. I will try them out in a couple days since it is gonna be rainy tomorrow. Here are a couple pictures of what I'm dealing with. It's a tight spot, but I can fit a 3/8 ratchet in there with a hex head just barely, and an extension long enough can weave through the frame.

 

[Matt Behnke]

 

[PoorOwner]

The vise grip need to be much tighter than you think.. almost like you need another plier to squeeze the vise grip together. They sell a small 4" one. If you can get it squeezed on really tight see you can tap on the vise grip. It may take some tries before the head get a bit less round and smooth. The other thing is you can try wrap the bolt head with sandpaper to get more grip. I can't imagine those bolts are on that tight

 

[oldmxracer]

Pics not working for Me ?

 

[rburke65]

No.....no pics here either.

 

[snyder]

I get to fix a lot of other people's screw up's of this type.

I usually take a punch or fine chisel to the outside edge where You can get a bite and tap it loose.

Hope this makes sense to You.

This. But first torque all the rest of the bolts. That will take some load off the bad one.

 

[1redTA]

you could also try an impact screw driver, though the chisel method has worked for me

 

[Matt Behnke]

Thanks, everyone, I will try all the things you have told me. The one thing about vise grips is that I couldn't really fit them that well and be able to turn them a significant amount due to the frame of the atv getting in the way. Sorry the pictures aren't working, I don't know how to fix that. But basically the picture shows the head of the bolt which looks cleanly round (hardly even tell it was once hex), and theres a slot going through the middle from my dremel cut. Thanks again, I will let you know how it all works out

 

[Bretny]

Weld a nut on it. The heat also help get it out.

 

[BillK]

Sorry the pictures aren't working, I don't know how to fix that.

Mike,
If you reply and scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see a box to "manage attachments" just go there and add the pics from your computer.

You have to use the "reply" button, not the quick reply box.

 

[Honda guy]

Snap On Midget pliers. Way "grippier" than vice grips. Everyone that's ever tried mine has gone out and purchased one. I call them Mighty Mouse pliers.
https://store.snapon.com/Special-Purpose-Midget-Pliers-P890882.aspx

 

[BADSIX]

I get to fix a lot of other people's screw up's of this type.

I usually take a punch or fine chisel to the outside edge where You can get a bite and tap it loose.

Hope this makes sense to You.

this right here.
Jay D.

 

[captmoto]

Put some valve grinding compound in the head, push the correct size hex wrench in their and see if it will fill in enough to break it loose.
If you weld, tack the wrench in the head of the bolt.

 

[Firebrick43]

Work on CNC machines and 90 percent of the fasteners are Allen. Mxracer has it correct. A very small chisel at the edge leaned over at 25 degrees or so is the fastest way. Carry a small chisel and hammer to do this nearly every day from 3,4,and 5mm Allen screws that have been removed and installed a significant amount of times. Larger sizes are rare.

 

[Lelandwelds]

This. But first torque all the rest of the bolts. That will take some load off the bad one.

Weld a nut on it. The heat also help get it out.

Work on CNC machines and 90 percent of the fasteners are Allen. Mxracer has it correct. A very small chisel at the edge leaned over at 25 degrees or so is the fastest way. Carry a small chisel and hammer to do this nearly every day from 3,4,and 5mm Allen screws that have been removed and installed a significant amount of times. Larger sizes are rare.

Squirt some penetrating oil after doing all the above. Let it sit as long as you can stand.

The true fix may be to use a different tool for this job.

 

[Matt Behnke]

Thanks for the help all, let me try putting a picture in

 

[Matt Behnke]

Here they are

 

[bwringer]

Drill the head off.

Get a long 1/4" drill bit if you can't reach it with a normal length.

Once the cover is off, then you can probably unscrew the stub with your fingers, or maybe a small pair of locking pliers.

Also, that's technically a "socket head screw", FYI. "Hex head" is a little unclear as to whether it's a socket head or a regular hex.

 

[matt_i]

There's a tapered internal wrenching tool called a Sock-it-out, can google it to see images.

The drill bit idea is an excellent one to release it but would likely be left with a screw stub that would have to be grabbed with pliers...or weld a nut to it, etc.

 

[Matt Behnke]

Got the fastener out. The chisel idea worked great! Thanks for the all the tips

 

[bradleykd]

One of my favorite tools for this is an engraving pin. It's like 1000 taps with a punch without ever moving your hand..

 

[Dragfluid]

Another thing to remember for "next time" guys is, heat the head of the fastener to cherry red. Just the head. Then let it cool down to room temp. This expands everything and then when cool, it will usually come out very easy.

BTW, the term is "rounded out", not "stripped". Stripped pertains to threads.