!! Stripped Cat Bolt !!

omg35s · 04-13-2011, 06:20 PM

Tried to install my RTP's today. We stripped the passenger's side famous evil top bolt that is accessed through the engine bay.

I have all the proper tools and extensions. I used 1/2" breaker bar with a lot of 1/2" extensions and a 14mm 6-head socket and stripped the bolt. Didn't get to loosen it at all. Went to Sears and bought a extract bolt-kit and managed to loosen it about 1/4 turn. Then the bolt stripped some more.

Then I thought maybe we should just break the head of the bolt by over-tightening it. I tightened it about 1/4 then stopped because I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not.

I've sprayed this bolt with PB blaster over a few days and it's still giving me trouble.

At this point the bolt is tightened normally and is stripped counter-clockwise.

What are my options? After spending all this money on tools and the time I put into it I don't really want to take it to a shop. I can do the install in less than an hour if it weren't for these two top bolts.

I've broken it down to two options:

1. Drive the car around and let the bolt heat-up then try to tighten and break the head of the bolt. (Is this safe? Will the flanges bend?)

2. Take it to a shop and let them blow-torch and remove the bolt. (Can the blow-torch reach the bolt?)

Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated!

Thanks

natepaulus · 04-13-2011, 07:45 PM

I just knew, with only 3,000 miles on the odo, I wouldn't have the bolt problem.....Wrong. I broke one (no problem) and stripped the other.

The bolt had come out a quarter inch or so before stripping, so it gave me the opportunity to cut the head off. A little tedious, but pretty quick and simple. I first duct taped a Dremmel with cutting wheel to my extension. It was too bulky and I couldn't see down there well enough. So I got the snake extension for the Dremmel and taped IT to the end of the socket extension.

So...extension in hand, my brother holding the light, switching the Dremmel on and off for 5 mins....crisis averted.

Also, the cutting disk is smallish and you can't cut all the way through from just one side. so kind of cut around the bolt in an arc. I actually had to finish it off from below by prying with a small screwdriver to break it off.

Steady hand. DO NOT cut into the header!

toner123 · 04-13-2011, 07:57 PM

ok I have a crazy idea not sure if you will believe me but this **** works. Go to a hardware store and see if they sell a liquid called e z grip. ok if you can't find it thats ok we can make it make sume thick mud and add a buch of small metel shavings in it mix it up and coat the inside of the socket with it and go remove it. My bolts also striped out and this is how i got them out. I know it sounds crazy but it does work, atleast for me it did.

SPOHN · 04-13-2011, 08:39 PM

Try to pound a smaller size socket on there. If not, go with the torch. But I like the dremmel idea.

wheee! · 04-13-2011, 08:57 PM

So glad mine came out without a fight.....

djpathfinder · 04-13-2011, 10:34 PM

From reading previous threads about removing the demon bolt and stripping it, I have to paraphrase another member..."welcome to a world of hurt!"

Hope you find a solution. Sounds like the "easiest" way out is to put a blow torch to it, perhaps at a shop. Yes, you have to pay, but perhaps the most viable solution, if the other ideas (Dremel, smaller socket) don't work/aren't feasible. Good luck.

RockStarKick · 04-14-2011, 12:13 PM

Getting nervous,,,, my HFC's will be here in a couple days.. Gonna use PB blaster the night before and just pray... LOL..

SPOHN · 04-14-2011, 12:47 PM

Try to use a impact socket. You'll have better luck.

tjlazer · 04-14-2011, 01:30 PM

I had to cut the cat in half to remove it. Good luck!

ChrisSlicks · 04-14-2011, 03:25 PM

Remove the stock air boxes to give yourself more room from the top.

So the bolt head is stripped but not the thread right?

CATCHINZZZS · 04-14-2011, 03:46 PM

GO to a shop and heat it up call it a day..

CATCHINZZZS · 04-14-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjlazer

I had to cut the cat in half to remove it. Good luck!

Wtf omg thats crazy...

franky2222 · 04-14-2011, 06:57 PM

^^^that is crazy

tjlazer · 04-14-2011, 07:47 PM

yep it was. desperate measures. My car was on the lift and it was going to close in an hour. LOL

omg35s · 04-14-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Remove the stock air boxes to give yourself more room from the top.

So the bolt head is stripped but not the thread right?

Yeah.. just the head is stripped counter-clockwise only..

I'm going to try using a gator grip and if that fails I'm going to try to break the head of the bolt...

04-13-2011, 06:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
omg35s Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New York Posts: 63 Drives: XXX Rep Power: 15	!! Stripped Cat Bolt !! Tried to install my RTP's today. We stripped the passenger's side famous evil top bolt that is accessed through the engine bay. I have all the proper tools and extensions. I used 1/2" breaker bar with a lot of 1/2" extensions and a 14mm 6-head socket and stripped the bolt. Didn't get to loosen it at all. Went to Sears and bought a extract bolt-kit and managed to loosen it about 1/4 turn. Then the bolt stripped some more. Then I thought maybe we should just break the head of the bolt by over-tightening it. I tightened it about 1/4 then stopped because I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not. I've sprayed this bolt with PB blaster over a few days and it's still giving me trouble. At this point the bolt is tightened normally and is stripped counter-clockwise. What are my options? After spending all this money on tools and the time I put into it I don't really want to take it to a shop. I can do the install in less than an hour if it weren't for these two top bolts. I've broken it down to two options: 1. Drive the car around and let the bolt heat-up then try to tighten and break the head of the bolt. (Is this safe? Will the flanges bend?) 2. Take it to a shop and let them blow-torch and remove the bolt. (Can the blow-torch reach the bolt?) Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated! Thanks

04-13-2011, 07:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
natepaulus Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mt. Vernon, IL Posts: 10 Drives: 40th Anniversary Rep Power: 15	Dremmel... I just knew, with only 3,000 miles on the odo, I wouldn't have the bolt problem.....Wrong. I broke one (no problem) and stripped the other. The bolt had come out a quarter inch or so before stripping, so it gave me the opportunity to cut the head off. A little tedious, but pretty quick and simple. I first duct taped a Dremmel with cutting wheel to my extension. It was too bulky and I couldn't see down there well enough. So I got the snake extension for the Dremmel and taped IT to the end of the socket extension. So...extension in hand, my brother holding the light, switching the Dremmel on and off for 5 mins....crisis averted. Also, the cutting disk is smallish and you can't cut all the way through from just one side. so kind of cut around the bolt in an arc. I actually had to finish it off from below by prying with a small screwdriver to break it off. Steady hand. DO NOT cut into the header! __________________ FI TDX \| FI HFC \| HPS Post MAF Tubes \| K&N Filters Last edited by natepaulus; 04-13-2011 at 07:51 PM.

04-13-2011, 08:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Try to pound a smaller size socket on there. If not, go with the torch. But I like the dremmel idea. __________________

04-13-2011, 08:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 57 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40181	So glad mine came out without a fight..... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

04-13-2011, 10:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	From reading previous threads about removing the demon bolt and stripping it, I have to paraphrase another member..."welcome to a world of hurt!" Hope you find a solution. Sounds like the "easiest" way out is to put a blow torch to it, perhaps at a shop. Yes, you have to pay, but perhaps the most viable solution, if the other ideas (Dremel, smaller socket) don't work/aren't feasible. Good luck. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

04-13-2011, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
toner123 Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: chesapeake va Age: 39 Posts: 823 Drives: TT 370z Touring/SP Rep Power: 15	ok I have a crazy idea not sure if you will believe me but this **** works. Go to a hardware store and see if they sell a liquid called e z grip. ok if you can't find it thats ok we can make it make sume thick mud and add a buch of small metel shavings in it mix it up and coat the inside of the socket with it and go remove it. My bolts also striped out and this is how i got them out. I know it sounds crazy but it does work, atleast for me it did.

04-14-2011, 12:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
RockStarKick Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 298 Drives: it like a rental Rep Power: 14	Getting nervous,,,, my HFC's will be here in a couple days.. Gonna use PB blaster the night before and just pray... LOL.. __________________ 2013 Mustang GT, 6M, Track Pack & Leather Recaros 2011 Pearl White 6M /Sport Pkg - SOLD

04-14-2011, 12:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Try to use a impact socket. You'll have better luck. __________________

04-14-2011, 01:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	I had to cut the cat in half to remove it. Good luck! __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

04-14-2011, 03:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Remove the stock air boxes to give yourself more room from the top. So the bolt head is stripped but not the thread right? __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

04-14-2011, 03:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
CATCHINZZZS Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 221 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 14	GO to a shop and heat it up call it a day..

04-14-2011, 06:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
franky2222 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montreal Posts: 51 Drives: G37coupe/6MT Rep Power: 14	^^^that is crazy __________________ 08 G37s 6MT//UPREV//INJEN CAI//BERK HFC//20%//BATOVERLAYS//EIBACH//GTSPEC/

04-14-2011, 07:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 52 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	yep it was. desperate measures. My car was on the lift and it was going to close in an hour. LOL __________________ 2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

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