special sockets for rounded bolts?
 

I have a bolt with a rounded head in a bad spot that I can,t access very well and was wondering if those grip it type sockets work,they are kinda pricey just to try and find out they don,t work.

Re: special sockets for rounded bolts?
 

theres an app called wish.. they are on there cheap.

Re: special sockets for rounded bolts?
 

try a 6 point snap-on socket on the bolt
i've seen a stripped nut/bolt head from a craftsman socket come off with a 6 point snap-on socket
of course if the bolt is rusted in place or bottomed out in a hole your sort of screwed :D
you'll have a one time shot at getting it out, make sure you've soaked a rusty bolt or heated it
snap-on flank drive grabs the bolt head off the corners

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...hments/371641/

Re: special sockets for rounded bolts?
 

I was given a set of the TV special cheapo "universal" sockets for Christmas by my FIL one year. As you might expect, they suck for any high torque applications, but they work OK for something that doesn't require a lot of effort to remove. If the bolt head is rounded over, I doubt that you'll have success with one of those.

Can you get some heat on it? Or some penetrating oil? If you have the luxury of time, I'd hit it every day with some WD40 or PB blaster so that when you finally do get the right tool, you've got a chance of being successful.

Here are a few more tips about how to work with stubborn bolts.

And I think _Ogre is onto something with his diagram of the Snap-On sockets. They definitely bite better than Craftsman.

Re: special sockets for rounded bolts?
 

this reminds me of a story ... :D

5 of us were out cruising and drinking, something we could get away with in the early 70s
we had a flat tire, everyone jumped out and had the spare ready to go on in a flash
one lug nut was stripped and the lug wrench just spun on it

a quick thinking ogre noticed aluminum foil gum wrappers all over the floor of the car
i stuck 5 layers of foil on the nut and used a limb to hammer the lug wrench over the nut

ogre was the happy hour hero :D

Re: special sockets for rounded bolts?
 

I use twist sockets fore severely damaged bolt heads. I have a 1/4 drive set and 3/8 drive set. Mine are blue point and they work great. It's the last step before the torch or cut off wheel.