HELP!! Rounded PITA top CAT bolt

phantom21 · 01-03-2010, 06:11 PM

I'm putting Berk CATs on and I'm stalled by ONE bolt. This is the top bolt on the drivers side. My 35K paper weight is dead in the water with this. I've tried beating it, penatrating oil, beating a 13mm on it, a bolt-grip that I saw in another thread(it round off first pull). I think I'm about at my end and having to reassmble it back to stock CATs and carry it somewhere. Does anyone have anymore tricks I can try before carring it somewhere?

Thanks,
Wes

1slow370 · 01-03-2010, 06:49 PM

make a voodoo doll of the bolt and keep repeatedly popping the head off?

phantom21 · 01-03-2010, 06:56 PM

hahaha, trust me ...done that and some. The witch doctor just shook her head at when she saw it.

azn370z · 01-03-2010, 07:23 PM

Did you use a 6 point socket?

phantom21 · 01-03-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Did you use a 6 point socket?

I broke one 6 pt, round THREE other 6 pts off, rounded off a 12pt and burred up a 13 MM 12 pt trying to hammer it on as a last resort.

EPIC socket fail

spearfish25 · 01-03-2010, 07:57 PM

drill?

phantom21 · 01-03-2010, 08:00 PM

I thought that, but how would I drill it? Its the top bolt on the driver's side. There is no way of getting to it from the bottom and I dont think there is a 25" drill bit around

schrute · 01-03-2010, 08:02 PM

A buddy of mine cut the head off a larger bolt and welded it to the rounded off bolt to get better torque with the larger bolt head. If I understand correctly this bolt is pretty hard to get to so welding may not be an option. Just thought I'd mention it in case it helped.

I've run into stubborn bolts myself - I know what a PITA they can be.

Red370 · 01-03-2010, 08:12 PM

I know exactly what you mean man, those stock cat bolts are stupid tight, me and my mechanic wasted 3 hours working on plans to get the damn thing off, finally we decided to stop being stubborn and used socket extensions, took the air box off both sides and used an air ratchet. You could use a pneumatic saw and cut the bolt off..

spearfish25 · 01-03-2010, 08:26 PM

This thread is making me rethink my HFC order...

Trips · 01-03-2010, 08:28 PM

I installed the Hfc's with help....
If your doing it by yourself try getting some help,
I used 3/4 high impact socket 14 mm, high impact universal swivel 3/4,
and 3 long extensions so they end up high enough clearance to add a 3/4 to 1/2'' adapter high impact also with a 1/2'' ratchet with a small extension pole for leverage to break it loose
one person on the top to slide the extensions down to the bolt and, another on the bottom to guide the socket in place and to hold it in place while the top person breaks it loose.. I used high impact universal and socket due to breaking too regular craftsman sockets.. use some Wd 40 or liquid wrench penetrating oil,
There's extractor kits for stripped head bolts.. or a muffler shop can torch it off and replace with a temp nut and bolt..
there is also a DIY on the Install with some pics

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...c-install.html

Red370 · 01-03-2010, 08:58 PM

well, the good news is, once you break the bolts on the stock cats, they'll come off easier next time

1slow370 · 01-04-2010, 12:28 AM

dynamite problem solved and u can return the HFC's and get your money back too

phantom21 · 01-04-2010, 05:41 AM

I must just have one bolt that has the "10 years worth of driving and heat-welding characteristics" in the 4 months I've had the car. All the other bolts came off fairly easy. I thought we where going to cruise through the install. I sprayed WD-40 and Liquid wrench penetrating oil on it and let it sit over night. I'm doing(was) doing G3 intakes at the same time, so I have both air boxes off right now. I guess I'll do some calling around today and see what a muffler/performance shop can do for me. I'll have to bolt all stock stuff back up to get it running again....2 days of removal down the tubes.

kannibul · 01-04-2010, 08:12 AM

dremel?

01-03-2010, 06:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 15	HELP!! Rounded PITA top CAT bolt I'm putting Berk CATs on and I'm stalled by ONE bolt. This is the top bolt on the drivers side. My 35K paper weight is dead in the water with this. I've tried beating it, penatrating oil, beating a 13mm on it, a bolt-grip that I saw in another thread(it round off first pull). I think I'm about at my end and having to reassmble it back to stock CATs and carry it somewhere. Does anyone have anymore tricks I can try before carring it somewhere? Thanks, Wes __________________ 2009 PG 6spd Sport \|\| 30% side tint, 15% rear \|\| All Redline fluids \|\| Berk HFC's intalled~PITA Bolt \|\| Stillen G3's \|\| Berk CBE \|\| BC Racing Coilovers with 10K/12K Swift springs & RA valving\|\| SPL rear camber arms \|\| 20mm/15mm spacers

01-03-2010, 06:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7250	make a voodoo doll of the bolt and keep repeatedly popping the head off? Last edited by 1slow370; 01-03-2010 at 06:50 PM. Reason: spelling

01-03-2010, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 15	hahaha, trust me ...done that and some. The witch doctor just shook her head at when she saw it. __________________ 2009 PG 6spd Sport \|\| 30% side tint, 15% rear \|\| All Redline fluids \|\| Berk HFC's intalled~PITA Bolt \|\| Stillen G3's \|\| Berk CBE \|\| BC Racing Coilovers with 10K/12K Swift springs & RA valving\|\| SPL rear camber arms \|\| 20mm/15mm spacers

01-03-2010, 07:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 489	Did you use a 6 point socket? __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

01-03-2010, 07:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	drill? __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

01-03-2010, 08:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 15	I thought that, but how would I drill it? Its the top bolt on the driver's side. There is no way of getting to it from the bottom and I dont think there is a 25" drill bit around __________________ 2009 PG 6spd Sport \|\| 30% side tint, 15% rear \|\| All Redline fluids \|\| Berk HFC's intalled~PITA Bolt \|\| Stillen G3's \|\| Berk CBE \|\| BC Racing Coilovers with 10K/12K Swift springs & RA valving\|\| SPL rear camber arms \|\| 20mm/15mm spacers

01-03-2010, 08:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 16	A buddy of mine cut the head off a larger bolt and welded it to the rounded off bolt to get better torque with the larger bolt head. If I understand correctly this bolt is pretty hard to get to so welding may not be an option. Just thought I'd mention it in case it helped. I've run into stubborn bolts myself - I know what a PITA they can be. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

01-03-2010, 08:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Red370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 4,391 Drives: your mom to church Rep Power: 295	I know exactly what you mean man, those stock cat bolts are stupid tight, me and my mechanic wasted 3 hours working on plans to get the damn thing off, finally we decided to stop being stubborn and used socket extensions, took the air box off both sides and used an air ratchet. You could use a pneumatic saw and cut the bolt off.. __________________ 2011 Mustang 5.0 \| 3.55's \| Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe \| Magnaflow Muffler Delete \| JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

01-03-2010, 08:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	This thread is making me rethink my HFC order... __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

01-03-2010, 08:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I installed the Hfc's with help.... If your doing it by yourself try getting some help, I used 3/4 high impact socket 14 mm, high impact universal swivel 3/4, and 3 long extensions so they end up high enough clearance to add a 3/4 to 1/2'' adapter high impact also with a 1/2'' ratchet with a small extension pole for leverage to break it loose one person on the top to slide the extensions down to the bolt and, another on the bottom to guide the socket in place and to hold it in place while the top person breaks it loose.. I used high impact universal and socket due to breaking too regular craftsman sockets.. use some Wd 40 or liquid wrench penetrating oil, There's extractor kits for stripped head bolts.. or a muffler shop can torch it off and replace with a temp nut and bolt.. there is also a DIY on the Install with some pics http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...c-install.html __________________ Last edited by Trips; 01-03-2010 at 08:51 PM.

01-03-2010, 08:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
Red370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 4,391 Drives: your mom to church Rep Power: 295	well, the good news is, once you break the bolts on the stock cats, they'll come off easier next time __________________ 2011 Mustang 5.0 \| 3.55's \| Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe \| Magnaflow Muffler Delete \| JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

01-04-2010, 12:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7250	dynamite problem solved and u can return the HFC's and get your money back too

01-04-2010, 05:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
phantom21 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Base+Sport 6M Rep Power: 15	I must just have one bolt that has the "10 years worth of driving and heat-welding characteristics" in the 4 months I've had the car. All the other bolts came off fairly easy. I thought we where going to cruise through the install. I sprayed WD-40 and Liquid wrench penetrating oil on it and let it sit over night. I'm doing(was) doing G3 intakes at the same time, so I have both air boxes off right now. I guess I'll do some calling around today and see what a muffler/performance shop can do for me. I'll have to bolt all stock stuff back up to get it running again....2 days of removal down the tubes. __________________ 2009 PG 6spd Sport \|\| 30% side tint, 15% rear \|\| All Redline fluids \|\| Berk HFC's intalled~PITA Bolt \|\| Stillen G3's \|\| Berk CBE \|\| BC Racing Coilovers with 10K/12K Swift springs & RA valving\|\| SPL rear camber arms \|\| 20mm/15mm spacers

01-04-2010, 08:12 AM	#15 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 266	dremel?