Rounded wheel bolts-now what?

[ckm91377]

Hello fellow Festivites-I have a bit of an issue. I bought a Festive a while back and drove it for a few weeks and then my shift gate (I'm pretty sure) gave out on me. I did a little research and decided I'd try to get the trans out myself. Well everything was going ok (well-aside from the clutch cable adjusting nut twisting part of the bolt off but oh well-only $23 at Autozone) until I went to loosen the wheel bolts before putting it up in the air. The first wheel was fine-a little snug but they all broke loose without too much effort. The second wheel-first bolt came looe and then when I went to do the second one the socket felt a little wobbly and when I took a look I saw that the bolt was rounded off pretty good. I moved on to the next one and it was ok but the fourth one was also in bad shape. I am hoping that one of you has some magic answer that I am missing that will let me get this wheel off-I'd hate to not be able to fix it because of a stupid wheel bolt. Thanks guys (and girls)!!!

[JoDan]

Get a smaller impact socket and pound that sucker on there

[lanemeyer14]

Get a smaller impact socket and pound that sucker on there

I was gonna say the same thing

[ckm91377]

I wish I could do that but I don't have air tools or any friends that do that I could steal a compressor from.

[JoDan]

You don't need an impact.. all you need is a 1/2 drive ratchet or breaker bar, the impact socket is just so you can pound it on without breaking it.

[ckm91377]

So-one size down right? Should I get a 6 or 12 point socket? I'm thinking 12 but I've thought wrong before (like thinking taking the wheels off would be the easy part)

[JoDan]

6 point would be the easiest to get on there

[brickdog2000]

Or you can buy a gator grip. Which is a socket that is made for stripped tools. Or Craftsman makes a tool that is looks like a socket. Inside the socket it has a spiral design. This is so when you go to take off the nut it will grip/bite into the wheel bolt.

[Sparky]

The Gator is an excellent idea...but I wonder how much torque they can take? Just wondering...

[brickdog2000]

The Gator is an excellent idea...but I wonder how much torque they can take? Just wondering...

I dont know. I would prefer the craftsman tool that my wife bought me I just wish I knew what it is called. However, Should be able to go to sears and ask.

[brickdog2000]

I just looked it up it is called a Craftsman 10 pc. Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover Set, Low Profile Bolt-Out. It costs 30 bucks online.

[perucho]

The gator will break. Get a Snap-On (or Crafstman) twist impact socket

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=65940&group_ID=11664&store=&dir=catalog

You can also get them for 1/2" drive.

[ckm91377]

I think I'll go to Sear's tomorrow and see how much their tool is. At least if it is Craftsman when...I mean if I break it I can go back and get a new one.

[perucho]

Don't listen to me Brickdog's set is the answer!

[Papabug]

Also put the two that you removed back on tight that should help, takes some of the pressure off the stuck ones.....