Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15592
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby AUbicycles » Sun Nov 10, 2013 11:20 pm
K-edge Go Pro mounts have crappy Allen Key bolts and I simply replace before they get too bad.
I have a problem-child MTB disc rotor with Hex bolts (old style) and not torx and though it was never adjusted the bolt itself is worn (round) so that I have no chance with a fresh allen key. Still too small for an allen key size up and no lick with any of my torx bits.
Any tips before I resort to a drill?
- Duck!
- Expert
- Posts: 9877
- Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: On The Tools
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby Duck! » Sun Nov 10, 2013 11:33 pm
- jacks1071
- Posts: 3068
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:47 pm
- Location: Mackay, QLD
- Contact:
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby jacks1071 » Mon Nov 11, 2013 1:05 am
They arn't cheap but if you just replace your commonly used sizes its not too expensive. Be warned buying quality tools can be is slighly addictive...
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:00 pm
- Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby Tank1252 » Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:10 am
Jees, i thought it was just me. I stuffed 2 allen keys already & i've only fitted the mount twice. Can i ask where you sourced the replacement bolts?AUbicycles wrote:In my experience, the allen keys usually become unusual before the bolt itself.
K-edge Go Pro mounts have crappy Allen Key bolts and I simply replace before they get too bad.
-
- Posts: 81
- Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:46 pm
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby josephk86 » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:44 am
- boyracer
- Posts: 793
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:29 pm
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby boyracer » Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:21 pm
- HappyHumber
- Posts: 5072
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:48 pm
- Location: Perth, (S.o.R.) W.A.
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby HappyHumber » Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:48 pm
I have a problem-child MTB disc rotor with Hex bolts .... so that I have no chance with a fresh allen key. Still too small for an allen key size up and no lick with any of my torx bits.
I'd still defer to some other replies being preferable... but in a pinch I've also used some imperial/Seppo sized allen keys to save me in such regard.
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15592
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby AUbicycles » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:06 pm
For the K-Edge I had a spare bolt in my amazing collection of bolts, screws and other bits I may need someday.
The pliers trick didn't work, the head has a triangle shape and I don't have a socket to match - and a thin steel plate makes it a little difficult.
Thanks for the hacksaw trick.
My next idea was to try and pad with aluminium foil - but the bolt is screwed so that will be best.
Jacks1071 - not a fan of Ikea allen keys I take it.
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby ldrcycles » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:18 pm
This. I actually had to do this with 2 bolts at work today, worked a treat. If all else fails you can use an angle grinder VERY CAREFULLY to remove the bolt head, assuming you then have enough exposed thread left to grip somehow.Duck! wrote:Cut a slot across the head of the bolt with a hacksaw, and try a broad, flat-blade screwdriver.
-
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:14 pm
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby Cruiserman » Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:38 pm
1 select a drill bit the same size as the threaded portion of the bolt.
2 drill off the head
3 remove the offending threaded portion with some pliers or vice grips as the head is no longer there there is no tension holding the threaded section in and it will simply unscrew.
4 source a replacement bolt when reassembling.
If you can get the allen key to grip a bit or you are aware that you are about to strip out the head, use a socket allen key and strike the end of the screwdriver attachment from the socket set while applying torque to the bolt, works like an impact wrench, also works for tight phillips head screws. Luckily they don't name these things after women as they would be a real b!tch to get out - not sure about torx (talks) though.
1986 Spokesman Model 11 Racing - Campag Nuvo Record - Stronglight - Shimano 600
- Mrfenejeans
- Posts: 417
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:01 pm
- Location: Kingsley
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby Mrfenejeans » Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:46 pm
-
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:24 pm
- Location: Perth
- Contact:
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby Rusty6149 » Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:53 pm
Regards,
Rusty
-
- Posts: 192
- Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:50 am
Postby Causidicus » Tue Nov 12, 2013 3:43 pm
Snap-On are now principally Asian made junk. Buy German. Stahlwille or Gedore.AUbicycles wrote:...not a fan of Ikea allen keys I take it.
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15592
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Re:
Postby AUbicycles » Tue Nov 12, 2013 4:19 pm
Ouch, considering 95% of the worlds bikes are made in Asia... including the German branded bikes.Causidicus wrote:Snap-On are now principally Asian made junk. Buy German. Stahlwille or Gedore.
I admit that with tools it is a little different though don't know which percentage of German branded tools are made in the Far East.
- find_bruce
- Moderator
- Posts: 10615
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 8:42 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby find_bruce » Tue Nov 12, 2013 4:31 pm
- open roader
- Posts: 3647
- Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:05 pm
- Location: Dueling Banjo Country, Otway fringes, Victoria
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby open roader » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:21 am
- jacks1071
- Posts: 3068
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:47 pm
- Location: Mackay, QLD
- Contact:
Re:
Postby jacks1071 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:46 pm
Frankly I couldn't care where anything is made (Although I try to buy AUSTRALIAN MADE whenever possible). Quality is quality regardless of the country its made in...Causidicus wrote:Snap-On are now principally Asian made junk. Buy German. Stahlwille or Gedore.AUbicycles wrote:...not a fan of Ikea allen keys I take it.
Snap-On would be broke with their warranty policities in no-time flat if your statement was correct.
I lost a couple of allen keys and they gave me new ones without charge!! I am hardly a big customer to them. I'm yet to break any of my snap-on tools but when/if I do, I'll take great delight in handing the broken one over and getting a brand-new one back.
- jacks1071
- Posts: 3068
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:47 pm
- Location: Mackay, QLD
- Contact:
Re: Re:
Postby jacks1071 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:49 pm
German tool, american tool, everything made in Taiwan.AUbicycles wrote:
I admit that with tools it is a little different though don't know which percentage of German branded tools are made in the Far East.
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:34 pm
-
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:17 am
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby nailsaslegs » Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:38 pm
- HappyHumber
- Posts: 5072
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:48 pm
- Location: Perth, (S.o.R.) W.A.
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby HappyHumber » Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:31 pm
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
-
- Posts: 192
- Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:50 am
Postby Causidicus » Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:53 pm
No, they would not. Snap-On is now huge and can absorb the failure rates. They even own Bahco now. Try and find a new Swedish made Bahco adjustable wrench (they are now collectible). Snap-On are moving manufacturing where it's cheaper and that's to cheaper European countries and the far east.jacks1071 wrote:Snap-On would be broke with their warranty policities in no-time flat if your statement was correct.
Snap-On have a huge marketing machine but do not confuse marketing with quality. Snap-On is trading on a name that was built on quality but has not survived the 90s manufacturing shifts. Workshops are no longer looking to standardise on Snap-On tools. They are more expensive yet lower quality than decent European manufacture such as Stahlwille, Gedore, Hazet, Beta and Unior. Facom is no longer Euro only but at least the vast majority of their manufacture is from European bases.
A point to recognise is that domestic German made tools are required to be made to rather onerous DIN standards in order to be able to be sold. Asian stuff is just made to customer specification with little regard to other standards. It shows when you compare current Snap-On to, say, equivalent Stahlwille or Hazet.
As time goes on less and less of Snap-On's tool range is USA or European. There are few non Asian tool houses and, unfortunately, Snap-On isn't one of them.
A key point of note is that unlike Stahlwille, Gedore, Hazet, Beta or Facom, Unior have a wide range of bicycle specific tools and a long history of sponsorship of pro cycling teams on the tool front.
- Nate
- Posts: 3209
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:49 pm
- Contact:
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby Nate » Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:07 am
Doing a restoration on a 30yo car... had this with the brake components.
Hammer in a larger/torx bit as above.
End result was to weld a rod into it & then twist it out with a bit rod.
- AUbicycles
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15592
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:14 am
- Location: Sydney & Frankfurt
- Contact:
Re: Worn Allen Key bolt removal - tips
Postby AUbicycles » Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:41 pm
On the bolts, with the heavy Sydney rain I will get onto this tomorro... but decided to get new rotors as I have to get bolts anyway and the rotors are the original ones and could do with an upgrade.
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.