Got a problem. Front Ball Joint Bolts.

Greyfox · 11-22-2014, 06:58 PM

I'm not sure what rocket scientist German thought it was a great idea to use torx bit bolts with locktight on the front ball joints, but it was a very bad idea.

I have partially stripped one try to get it removed.

Besides EZ-Outs or bolt extractors does anyone have any suggestions?

krhodes1 · 11-22-2014, 08:23 PM

The secret to bolts with locktite is to heat them up first with a propane or MAP gas torch before you try to remove them. That melts the locktite, then they come right out.

Heat that sucker right up, and it should come out even partially stripped.

PhaseP · 11-22-2014, 08:31 PM

For stripped head, if you have a dremel you can try to cut a slot on the head such that a big flat screw driver can be used on it.

X_Drive · 11-22-2014, 08:31 PM

Try a little heat(hand held bernzomatic torch) on the bolt and try hammering on the torx socket further into the bolt head to get a better purchase. Then use a breaker bar and a little finesse to ease that bad boy out. If the bolt is too cammed out, then try a torx size higher and hammer that biotch in there. If the Bolt head is completely mangled, then try heating the bolt up and using a quality hammer and chisel, try knocking the bolt counter-clockwise to initially break the holding torque and then use hand tools to crank it out. These tricks should work unless the bolts are rusted on to high heaven. Then you gotta bring out the oxy-acetylene torch out. Oh yeah try soaking the back of the bolts with penetrating lube as well.

HTH's

Greyfox · 11-22-2014, 08:39 PM

Thanks... I'll grab the Benzo torch when I go at this again.

11-22-2014, 06:58 PM	#1
Greyfox Colonel 1208 Rep 2,835 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi E91 - 330k+ (miles) Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	Got a problem. Front Ball Joint Bolts. I'm not sure what rocket scientist German thought it was a great idea to use torx bit bolts with locktight on the front ball joints, but it was a very bad idea. I have partially stripped one try to get it removed. Besides EZ-Outs or bolt extractors does anyone have any suggestions?
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11-22-2014, 08:23 PM	#2
krhodes1 Colonel 1436 Rep 2,526 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	The secret to bolts with locktite is to heat them up first with a propane or MAP gas torch before you try to remove them. That melts the locktite, then they come right out. Heat that sucker right up, and it should come out even partially stripped. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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11-22-2014, 08:31 PM	#3
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	For stripped head, if you have a dremel you can try to cut a slot on the head such that a big flat screw driver can be used on it.
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11-22-2014, 08:31 PM	#4
X_Drive Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 263 Posts Drives: E46, E91, F21 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M140i LCI [0.00] 2005 E46 325xi [0.00] 2011 E91 328i xDriv ... [0.00]	Try a little heat(hand held bernzomatic torch) on the bolt and try hammering on the torx socket further into the bolt head to get a better purchase. Then use a breaker bar and a little finesse to ease that bad boy out. If the bolt is too cammed out, then try a torx size higher and hammer that biotch in there. If the Bolt head is completely mangled, then try heating the bolt up and using a quality hammer and chisel, try knocking the bolt counter-clockwise to initially break the holding torque and then use hand tools to crank it out. These tricks should work unless the bolts are rusted on to high heaven. Then you gotta bring out the oxy-acetylene torch out. Oh yeah try soaking the back of the bolts with penetrating lube as well. HTH's
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11-22-2014, 08:39 PM	#5
Greyfox Colonel 1208 Rep 2,835 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi E91 - 330k+ (miles) Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	Thanks... I'll grab the Benzo torch when I go at this again.
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