Rounded Bolt extraction?

Hey I'm dealing with a rounded bolt on a trans drain plug in my DD. I have a general question. BEFORE I go buy the extraction bolt set I was planning on trying to hammer on a socket size smaller. Do you think i will have more success trying to hammer in a 6 point or a 12 point?

Thanks

 

How about reshaping the bolt head with a file?

 

Didn't think I could. Thanks alot.

 

On rare occasion I've have had to "convert" a bolt to or from metric.

 

That has worked for me as well.

 

I use these they work great!

 

I wouldn't hammer.

 

Tack weld a nut on the bolt head.

 

HEAVY gauge aluminum foil up inside the socket can work if nut isn't torqued too bad & I have very successfully used a small pipe wrench on unsaveable bolts,definitely grips if in an area you can get to : )
Good luck : )

 

12 point seems to me to tap on better, or metrics

 

I would be trying this first before hammering any socket on. If you can grab it, vice grips work most of the time if you have some decent hand strength. If it's not tight enough on the first grab you may just round it further.

 

My Chevy with a trans drain plug always rounds. The material is soft and the it is very shallow. I replace it every time. I take a air hammer and hit it at the flat and go in a little bit. I then turn it so the bolt will want to go counter clockwise. After hours spent trying to use extractors and whatever, this works easily and in like 30 seconds.

 

When I left a property management gig a decade or two ago I was tossed this gem by my then boss while gathering up my tools.
I was hard on tools and trucks, and when I put it in the van he laughed and said, "You're gonna need it!"
Still think of him every time I snap a bolt or round off a head. Made in Owatonna, Minnesota by Owatonna Tool. Jim

 

We zing 'em off with an air chisel. Need hands like a surgeon if you're going to try it for the first time.

 

thank you guys. sorry i didnt get back to you all faster but It was a good long weekend. I tried vice grips before I posted this but it added to the damage. and my hand strenght is decent lol. My file seems to large to get a good working angle oisn the bolt, i need to buy one smaller. I dont have a welder, but I love that idea. i tried hamering it with a heavy hammer and a metal spike at a good angle to break the torque, but nothing and I didnt want to go further with that technique. I went out and got a bolt extraction kit that look similar to Sean Buick76 but not identical in formation, didnt work. I had to go so I decided to service the trans later. My next method is getting it filed down better. im goning to look into the heavy gauge allumium option aswell. And of course the metric socket. I just purchaced this truck (01 silverado) and I was going to do a "quick" oil change and trans filter replacment. And you know the story, you go to do your thing then something pops up. Well that night 2 things popped up, but one was not my hood, hahahaha. I spent a good 45mins on the trans drain bolt, then another good 45 mins trying to get my hood open because the cable went out. Never did i get mad or throw a wrench because I like cars to much.

dasRottwiler that tool is cool.
John that what I like - quick work.

 

Pipe wrench will do it. But if you don't care, I'd just drill a hole in the bolt, drain the oil then drop the pan and remove the bolt on the bench, will be much easier. Then replace with a new one

 

The other option is just to pull the pan and deal with the mess.

 

Your right.

Cluxford your also right. I've taken off one just like that.

Consider this bolt toast.

Thanks everyone

 

Just use the method I mentioned above. I have an 03 Silverado. The drain bolts are junk and never come off normally. The extractors don't have enough to bite into on these. The narrow bolt head just slips off. Easy outs even failed. The air hammer method with the punch end works in seconds.