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campbellmck
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Dec 17, 2016, 10:11 PM
Post #1 of 13
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Over-tightened bolts
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Hey guys, I have accidentally over tightened my drain bolt and I have no idea how to get it out again to tighten it correctly. Could you please tell me how to get this bolt out without damaging threads? Thank you
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 12:14 AM
Post #2 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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Best thing is to probably call your own mechanic/shop to deal with that or one time just ask a quickie lube place if they are willing with probably an assortment of replacement plugs, taps or real drain plugs made to work and fix threads at the same time. You won't know if it works or need to try again so easily.
You'll need to know the thread #s - size and pitch of what's supposed to the there first and could buy just a new one and gasket as applicable and measure that one.
Other if you are ready is try to remove it now. It may come would without having caused harm - I can't know how much you overtightened nor whether the oil pan or bolt are already damaged or if both are?
T
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campbellmck
Novice
Dec 18, 2016, 12:25 AM
Post #3 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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I'd like to get it out myself now but just wondering how to do it
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 12:55 AM
Post #4 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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OK - But have a new plug and gasket ready. Can't know damage if will take the new plug at all or tap it to a size larger, greased tap or if steel magnetize it to catch filings.
This could be nothing at all as I can't know what "overtightened" extent was? It might actually just be fine and remove it with a six point socket far less likely to round it out.
The tools and know how to do this plus finding oversized plug if needed you need on hand and ready for what you find.
This happens a lot usually by the quickie lube places so I think they would have a total selection on hand to repair this type issue right while you wait. Some full service shops would too but think less likely to have the full selection on hand?
If by chance this destroyed the oil pan are you ready and able to install a new one?
I just can't know nor can you till you take it out. If that fails or just turns send this out.
This can happen to the next person who touches it not you who overtightened it. That happens now and then to me when a person just got a used car you wouldn't know till you did the next oil change on it. I by chance stock many common "oversize" self tapping drain plugs only useful if just partly in trouble. What's routine for a shop isn't going to be for you IF THERE'S A PROBLEM AT ALL? Do replace gasket if it uses one or better just whole new proper plug with gasket.
Friend - if it doesn't turn in close to the last turn or two by hand you may just have another problem or make it harder to fix all over again if you tight that up even normally,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Dec 18, 2016, 12:56 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 7:03 AM
Post #5 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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Are you asking this question because you have already destroyed the head of the plug?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 8:14 AM
Post #6 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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Would help to know HT just why this is a problem at all. OP - did you just wail on this like tightening a tire lug nut or air tools too strong or what?
Doesn't really matter if you can just undo it tight or not then I still say send it out. I/we in the trade would deal with this stuff if not a total disaster or wrecked the oil pan it's actually pretty routine. The tools, assortment of plugs if needed at all most would have on hand. If rounded stuff for that it would be out in no time is why I suggest just let this go out and not waste all the possible bucks and running around for a one time thing most likely,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 11:13 AM
Post #7 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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Would help to know how this is damaged. Is the head of the bolt rounded off or is it just spinning inside the oil pan and won't come out?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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campbellmck
Novice
Dec 18, 2016, 3:56 PM
Post #8 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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The head of the bolt is not damaged at all, however when i try and loosen the bolt, it just keeps spinning and won't come out. The bolt keeps spinning if i try to tighten it too
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 4:13 PM
Post #9 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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Wish you'd said that first! What is this thing anyway?
OK - when that happens you usually have stripped the threads clean either plug bolt or hole and thread in and beyond won't get a bite to come out or tighten.
You could try prying hard or grab with very strong Vice Grips and pry on that toward OUT and turn and see if it will come that way.
This could also use a welded in threaded bar inside oil pan as the acting nut and could just be spinning.
Every which way you aren't going to know for sure without getting it out.
You are now probably way over your head with dealing with this and probably nothing to lose to try.
You haven't said what vehicle this is so can look anything up. For many type you really could be looking at a new oil pan, many will require engine lifted, tilted including removing exhaust pipes that if aren't like new plenty more to bust up.
Brace yourself and tow it in if it doesn't come out with the trick mentioned and still may not be able to fix that till you see what happened,
Tom
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campbellmck
Novice
Dec 18, 2016, 7:31 PM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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It's actually a motorbike drain bolt but I didn't want you guys to not reply because it isn't a car thing ahaha thanks guys
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 18, 2016, 7:54 PM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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Trying to deceive the people you want help from is a really bad idea.
Thread moved to motorcycle category.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2016, 8:17 PM
Post #12 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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If you can't get the bolt out using Tom's method, you might need to remove the drain pan or side cover.
Maybe tap it with a hammer from the inside while someone try to unscrew it. You might be able to time sert or use a lock stitch type insert for the hole or replace the cover or pan. Heli coils don't work to well on something that has to be taken out over and over.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 19, 2016, 2:02 AM
Post #13 of 13
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Re: Over-tightened bolts
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I'm out after this new but all applies for a stripped out nut and bolt with approaches that will work.
DS mentioned tap with hammer from back side - one way. Now being a motor cycle (not my whole game but work on anything I can) it may have an opposing drain plug on the other side to gain a "pushing" action through?
Not knowing what you were dealing with doesn't help at all. We are all techs with some serious experience in dealing with these problems so again suggest you plain send this out before you wreck the whole engine over it,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Dec 19, 2016, 2:03 AM)
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