Torx bolts on TJ windshield frame

[mesha]

Seriously!
I have broken one torx bit and twisted the spline on another trying to get these little buggers out. What gives? Any ideas on how to remove the frame without selling my soul to the devil?

Maybe cut the paint with a knife or something?

 

[Badger]

You need a hand impact driver.

 

[mesha]

^ oh, that is a good idea. I didn't even think of that. Thanks!

 

[Badger]

Ya torx bring the suck....the inventor of that needs to be strung up along with the person who thought of slotted screws.

 

[Slangy]

Ya torx bring the suck....the inventor of that needs to be strung up along with the person who thought of slotted screws.

Agreed, those things are the worst invention ever. I strip at least a handful of those little ******* every year.

 

[skippy]

When I pulled the frame off my YJ they were stubborn too. I took the torx socket i was using, put it in the screw and whacked the back of it with a hammer quite hard. It was enough to break them loose and came out pretty easy after that

 

[Badger]

That is pretty much what the tool does. Only it also turns the bolt a slight bit with each blow.

 

[DaveB]

If you end up stripping the bolt out with the impact tool you can drill them out using a reverse rotation drill bit. Often the drill bit will walk them out once the drill gets in a ways.

 

[mbryson]

I just weld a nut to the torx head and turn them out with a 9/16" wrench.

 

[skippy]

That is pretty much what the tool does. Only it also turns the bolt a slight bit with each blow.

Yeah but most people dont have the impact driver your talking about.

 

[Badger]

Oh I know most people don't have one and that is what VatoZone is for. You should be able to rent one from them or what ever. Never hurts to pick one up and you can find them cheap from time to time. Hell looking at the HarborFrieght web site they have them for 6 bucks. Granted most likely a total piece of crap but i'm sure it would last long enough to get 6 bolts out.

 

[skippy]

Seriously!
I have broken one torx bit and twisted the spline on another trying to get these little buggers out. What gives? Any ideas on how to remove the frame without selling my soul to the devil?

Maybe cut the paint with a knife or something?

We could always use the "Hot Wrench" also.......

 

[DOSS]

I just weld a nut to the torx head and turn them out with a 9/16" wrench.

This is the perfect solution... done it tons of times on old Phillips head door bolts... Heat from the welding also helps break stuff free ... then replace them with Non crappy bolts

 

[DaveB]

Welding a nut on works well but can be tough on nearby paint if that is a concern.

 

[Bart]

I've used a cut ff wheel and put a slice in them, then used a BIG flat head screwdriver.

 

[Tacoma]

I have one of those impact drivers, they are GREAT for Torx bolts... which are horrible, deviant inventions.

If I can ever find a decent supplier of strong Torx bits, I'll let everyone know.. every one I've had seems to made of a metal somewhere between tin and soft aluminum in toughness.

 

[skippy]

My torx are MATCO and I havent broken one yet. plus a lifetime warranty

 

[Venture13]

Impact driver with the apropriate torx head that fits snug. Like another mentioned, slot teh head and use a flat head. Tap on the bolt head and apply heat with a small torch, sometimes tapping and adding penetrate can do the job, then try the torx socket. Also push in if not using an impact driver, perhaps have someone push and you twist.

 

[cuban b]

Welding to it is by far the best. They usually come right out after all that heat.

 

[DevinB]

If you don't care about the paint, heat it with a torch. That's how I got all my windshield frame bolts out.