I was using the 16mm when I bitched it up. Then I found that the 5/8" fit and tried that. Too late.

I was flexing my 1/2" drive Crapsman breaker bar with a pipe to get the other bolts loose.

 

Each brand has its place. I hate Craftsman sockets as they are just not strong enough or low profile enough. Snap On is hard to justify unless you are a professional mechanic. I was, and believe me, sometimes you need a Snap-on (or Mac) tool...

 

It's funny, I'd say most of us have the same tools, I'm 1/2 craftsman, 1/2 snap-on, a few proto pro and a couple of specialty (bent wrenches, ground down sockets)

LOL

luck,greg

 

All craftsman here. Many of those passed to me from my dad. I've always had great luck with them...never a problem.

On the headbolt...damage is done I'm affraid. Try everything short of heating it with a torch. If push comes to shove, you can always carefully grind the head down to get it off, then you've got more options.

 

I used these (actually the metric ones) on a rounded rear head bolt:

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...ets-96334.html

Worked so great the extractor is still attached to the head bolt. It saved my ***, great tool for the money.

 

I bought the sets from Sears. Look nice, don't work worth a damn. And that was on a caliper bolt.

Here's a couple of links on extraction practices.

http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/may2003/techtotech.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTRUXRv2HFs

Have fun. pray to the ROVER GODS BEFORE YOU START. Chant three times, Don't let me break anything that ain't broke yet. If I do have to break something, don't let be the most expensive part. Offer a ceremonial sacrifice of some sort, and plenty of Cold Beer to put out any fires you accidentally start.

 

Bolt extractor isn't gonna do much good if it is on there tight enough. I tried the craftsman and snap on sets when I rounded off one of my head bolts. Get yourself a 5/8 HUSKY impact socket from home depot. They seemed to hold on much tighter than my regular craftsman 5/8 socket (which I sheared 3 of in two on one bolt). Make sure it is on there good, get plenty of leverage, and go slow.

 

I, like you, may be a little apprehensive about torch & head.

In the past, when I've had a scary bolt in alum, I've scared the head of it back using a large drift and a slap with my lil' buddy (2lbs).

You may try that to get it's att'n as you put on the extractor socket.

luck,greg

 

Hey don't listen to the guy who rounded of a rear head bolt and used a bolt extractor (mentioned above) that DID fit in the bolt space and did remove the bolt. A torch is your last resort and you really need to know what you are going or you will burn your head.

Like I said go to HF get the damaged bolt extractor set and get at least a 32" breaker bar. Those bolt extractors will grab onto the bolt head and not let go for anything.

 

cant get link to work...might be a problem with HF server..anybody else?