Date:         Mon, 1 Jan 2024 11:49:55 -0700
Reply-To:     OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: CV bolt rounded -- what to do?
Comments: To: Ray Brubaker <rayandmerle@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+PsB=VWT4W_EGAqTWyC6tQb9knrz2fkHigcVq+t9Vv8vb3Kng@mail.gmail.com>
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        I’m not familiar the hammering in of an allen or torx bit but the amount of

hammering on that is needed to secure a socket on the outside of the bolt head

is surprising slight & I am somewhat sure that longitudinal forces that happen

upon the Axles are arrested by thrust bearing surfaces & probably not the roller

bearing chases but even if I’m incorrect on that point, the Axles have some end

play when properly installed so what ever it is that they hammer up against on

the kinds of drives We like to subject them to can apparently take a beating ~


> On 1 Jan , 2024, at 8:24 AM, Ray Brubaker <rayandmerle@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Be aware! Any hammering on this bolt goes through the ball bearing that is
> part of the wheel bearing system. Heavy hammering can cause the balls to
> dent the races causing shorter bearing life. These are robust bearings but
> no bearing should be hammered on if you want it to have a long life.
> 
> Ray
> 
> On Sun, Dec 31, 2023 at 9:15 PM Mark Drillock <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
> 
>> The 6mm allen bit is slightly smaller than 1/4".
>> I buy a 1/4" allen bit, file a slight taper on the 6 edges of the tip.
>> Then hammer it into the rounded out 6mm hole, using heavy blows.
>> Then unscrew the bolt.
>> 
>> VW used many 6mm allen bolts on many of their vehicles.
>> I have used this method lots of times, including CV bolts.
>> 
>> Mark
>> 
>> On 12/31/2023 5:08 PM, Rick Cooper wrote:
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I've got a noisy CV joint and thought I would remove and repair it
>> today.  But I managed to round off one of the twelve 6mm Allen socket-head
>> bolts so that I cannot break the last bolt free.  Unfortunately it is on
>> the outside CV joint so it inaccessible by most tools.
>>> 
>>> Has anyone had this experience and can offer any advice?  Am I stuck
>> drilling out/off the head of the bolt?  And then how do I remove the shaft
>> from the wheel assembly since it will be challenging, even with joint out
>> of the way, to get a good hold on it with vice-grips?
>>> 
>>> Thanks for any help.
>>> 
>>> Rc
>>