Rounded bolt of front brace...

[Mr_E85Bim]

Any advice would be appreciated pls.

I was trying to remove the front brace behind the grilles. The plan was to give it a respray and its looking tired and the paint is starting to flake.

I have managed to round one of the bolts. I'm thinking to drill it out as I reckon I can't be too rough with. This is becos that particular bolth seems to connect to the bonnet locking mechanism. Or very close to that area at least. Last thing I want to do is knock something out of alignment and find myself unable to close or worse open the bonnet again...

Thanks in advance

 

[Zedebee]

They can be a horror. It’s a lot easier with the bumper off, then you have space to play with. With the big flat headed bolts, I just cut a slot in the top with a dremel (or hacksaw) and use a big screwdriver after a liberal soaking in WD40.

 

[Reamesy]

I used these multiple times. I spent three hours once then remembered I had these. 3 minutes later, out!

TOPEC 18-Piece Impact Bolt & Nut Remover Set, 3/8” Drive Bolt Extractor Tool Set, Torque Extraction Socket Set for Removing Stripped, Damaged, Rounded Off and Rusted Bolts & Nuts https://amzn.eu/d/2Y3f7Wj

 

[Mr_E85Bim]

They can be a horror. It’s a lot easier with the bumper off, then you have space to play with. With the big flat headed bolts, I just cut a slot in the top with a dremel (or hacksaw) and use a big screwdriver after a liberal soaking in WD40.

Cheers Zed!

I was afraid I would need to remove the bumper :headbang:
I'm afraid I may not be able to align all the panel gaps and it's just going to look a mess. Maybe I will just plaster everything in newspaper and bin bags then just spray it/bodge it :rofl:

 

[Mr_E85Bim]

I used these multiple times. I spent three hours once then remembered I had these. 3 minutes later, out!

TOPEC 18-Piece Impact Bolt & Nut Remover Set, 3/8” Drive Bolt Extractor Tool Set, Torque Extraction Socket Set for Removing Stripped, Damaged, Rounded Off and Rusted Bolts & Nuts https://amzn.eu/d/2Y3f7Wj

Thanks matey!

These are great but not suitable for this job. These are those star shaped screws. I can't remember the correct name right now

 

[Reamesy]

I’ve used them on round bolts with torx, normal bolts and etorx. You just go down a size. Tap on with a hammer and off it comes

 

[Mr_E85Bim]

I’ve used them on round bolts with torx, normal bolts and etorx. You just go down a size. Tap on with a hammer and off it comes

Ohhhh how very interesting!! I was not aware of this! Thanks for the heads up Reamesy

 

[poortomsacold]

I used these multiple times. I spent three hours once then remembered I had these. 3 minutes later, out!

TOPEC 18-Piece Impact Bolt & Nut Remover Set, 3/8” Drive Bolt Extractor Tool Set, Torque Extraction Socket Set for Removing Stripped, Damaged, Rounded Off and Rusted Bolts & Nuts https://amzn.eu/d/2Y3f7Wj

A big thank you for suggesting this extraction set. Had a couple of stripped torx bolts. Spent ages yesterday trying to get them out, saw this post so ordered a set on Amazon, arrived this morning, tested already and they're unbelievable so far!

 

[Reamesy]

Glad they helped. Been brilliant for me on many occasions

 

[pvr]

Glad they helped. Been brilliant for me on many occasions

Put that in my basket as well

 

[jock156]

You can buy some kinda electrical conduit (various colours) that fit over the bars or there maybe a slit in them you wrap round the bars?