special sockets for rounded bolts? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazer2007 · 11-24-2015, 09:27 AM

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.

**michael bustamante** · 11-24-2015, 12:57 PM

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

_Ogre · 11-24-2015, 01:39 PM

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

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

53Sparky · 11-24-2015, 11:16 PM

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.

_Ogre · 11-25-2015, 02:40 PM

this reminds me of a story ...

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

95 S_Trucker · 11-25-2015, 03:35 PM

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.

11-24-2015, 09:27 AM	#1
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	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.

11-24-2015, 12:57 PM	#2
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,832	Re: special sockets for rounded bolts? theres an app called wish.. they are on there cheap. __________________ 1967custom

11-24-2015, 01:39 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	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 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 __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-24-2015, 11:16 PM	#4
53Sparky Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northglenn, Colorado Posts: 186	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. __________________ We'll burn that bridge when we get there My current project: Rust Therapy 62 C10 Numbers 6:24-26

11-25-2015, 02:40 PM	#5
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: special sockets for rounded bolts? this reminds me of a story ... 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 __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-25-2015, 03:35 PM	#6
95 S_Trucker Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,179	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.



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