Torx head bolt?

[8man]

Was trying to remove a torx head bolt form a differential on an 82 Cheorkee. The very first bolt I tried to remove and the tip of the torx socket broke off in the bolt, flush with the top. I tried to use picks to get it out, I tried to drill a small hole in it, but as you guessed, that didn't work.

So then I tried a pair of channel locks, locked on the head as tight as I can get them and a 2lb hammer on the channel lock. It isn't budging.

Before I weld a nut to that bolt, any other ideas? There is all new paint on the axle and Jeep (this is a body off restoration) and I'd rather not fire up the welder under there.

Thanks.

 

[aircommuter]

Since torx head bolts are round maybe a sted extractor or a pipe wrench if there is room, I also hit it inward to loosen it .

 

[kd3pc]

cold chisel and hammer on the perimeter

 

[check251]

This same thing happened to me two weeks ago. I had success tapping on a 12 point socket on the bolt head then turning with a ratchet. I tried vise grips, grinding a slot, hitting with a chisel and hammer.

 

[8man]

Cold chisel and hammer will be next up on my list to try.

My littlest Stilson won't fit it, not enough room.

 

[SVE Performance]

If you are talking about the bolts that hold the differential cover on ,those bolts are locktited you need to heat them up to get them out . Bill

 

[Richard Cranium]

SVE, that was most likely a very important piece of info. that the op should of known before starting this project. I wonder if there is a youtube video on this?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Air hammer with a chisel bit will help get it moving.

 

[jsaw]

Twist socket?

 

[nbpt100]

Air hammer with a chisel bit will help get it moving.

I was just going to suggest this.....I have seen it work on larger bolts that were rounded. Just be careful not to break it off.

 

[Tony G]

Can you weld a nut onto the head of the bolt? This works often on exhaust manifold bolts.

 

[dave89iroc]

if the broken bit is still in the bolt, hammer and a center punch will break it furtheyr and it will come out, then you can heat the bolts and remove

 

[8man]

Thanks guys. The chisel and hammer got it out without messing up the paint.

 

[joe_padavano]

Can you weld a nut onto the head of the bolt? This works often on exhaust manifold bolts.

Might want to re-read the original post:

Before I weld a nut to that bolt, any other ideas? There is all new paint on the axle and Jeep (this is a body off restoration) and I'd rather not fire up the welder under there.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Thanks guys. The chisel and hammer got it out without messing up the paint.

Do you need to keep the torx bolts on the diff cover for any particular reason, such as you want to keep the vehicle as original as possible? Or do you not really care what kind of bolt is there?

I ask because my 1985 Jeep CJ-7 had the same torx bolts on the diff cover as well as just about everywhere else on the damn thing! So I know your pain!

I actually bought replacement hex head bolts for the diff cover from 4WD Hardware, which is a company that specializes in Jeep stuff if you never heard of it before.

Slowly but surely I am replacing every torx bolt on my Jeep with hex heads.

Jim

 

[8man]

Yeah, those torx bolts are history! I'll be going back with real bolts.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Yeah, those torx bolts are history! I'll be going back with real bolts.

Good plan! I don't know a lot about the Cherokee's, but with the old CJ's like mine, there are places that sell complete nut and bolt replacement kits for them so that every piece of torx hardware gets replaced with standard Grade 8 hardware. Maybe they sell such a kit for your Cherokee.

I actually wondered why they used torx bolts on all of the Jeeps over the years in the first place. I thought damn that was not good because they are hell to remove after a few years, and you end up twisting and breaking off the torx bits every time you use them on stuck bolts.

Then I read an article that the torx bolts are easier and faster to use when manufacturing a vehicle, so they end up saving time during installations, which saves money.

But I hate them anyway....

Jim

 

[8man]

Jim, you are absolutely right about hating them. The front diff already has grade 8 bolts and the rear is getting them.