DISA stripped bolt

I stripped the T40 bolt pretty bad in the cold. I was rushing and It just made matters worse. How the hell do I get it out?

Xx

here's a great thread with a lot of info: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=864113

good luck

Originally Posted by BMW-North

What they call a "screw extractor" is what we call an "easy out" here in the great white north. You can get what you need at Can. Tire or home depot sells an 8 pack of various size easy outs for $23.

never heard of an "easy out" before.

I cant remember the shape or placement of the bolt off the top of my head right now, but OP might want to try something like vice grips before spending any money and running a risk drilling things. Always easier to try the solutions yyou can do at home without running out and buying things

been there done that on the DISA bolt. due to the angle and tight space every recommendation is "usless." your best bet is to use a dremel and cut a hole on the bolt. make sure your cutter plate is just big enough to cut a slant on the bolt but not big enough to cut/damage stuff near by. after the slant/grove is cut then just pop in a flat head screw driver and remove.

again...been there done that and this is what worked for me. good luck!

Originally Posted by BMW-North

You have it wrong. Get the right tool for the job - ALWAYS - before you do more damage. God knows what will break when the vice-grips slip - maybe the plastic DISA valve, maybe something else. If you are familiar with the location of the DISA screws then you'll know that there is very little room for vice-grips. Added that the screw stripped with the torx tool why would he get more leverage on a round head screw with little room to work. Go ask your mechanic if he's ever heard of "easy outs". Every shop I've ever known has two or three sets on hand for this very common problem. I was always taught to use the "right tool for the job".

BTW search Google for the term Easy Outs - here's a link to set

http://www.amazon.com/piece-Easy-Scr.../dp/B0002UJNWE

right, my point was Ive always heard them called screw or bolt extractors... Different places, different terms i guess. Us brits call vice grips molly clamps.

As for the DISA, I couldnt remember the placement of the bolts. I think we could argue about the best or easiest way to extract something for a while, but without seeing the actual bolt, condition of it and the tools available its quite pointless

Angle? Space? Really?

Take the upper intake boot off and you'll have plenty of space to get a 3/8" ratchet and T-40 bit in there. Even more room if you take out the plastic drug bin divider. Also if you used a T-30, that's your problem right there. It's a T-40.

Thanks for all the suggestions, going to go with the easy out way. I can use it for future purposes as well.
I did use 40, mis-typed the title.

Originally Posted by BMW-North

Are all of your posts this well thought out? You haven't a clue what your talking about. Have you read the thread - the bolts stripped. Others have suggested vice-grips!! I have the DISA in my hand with no other obstructions and I still could never get a pair of vice grips on the f****g screw. And before you suggest needle nose pliers remember that the the head is rounded and there is no room within the recess to turn the pliers even if you get them on the head.

Drunk much?

Yes, I'd go with long-nose locking pliers not the giant ones you've got, and you'd probably have room to turn it. I'd also consider a sacrificial TORX bit and some JB weld.

Then again I was referring to taking the bolt out without damaging it in the first place. Using any driver at an angle will easily round out the bolt. Take the intake boot off and you've got room to get a proper bit + ratchet and reduce the risk of rounding anything off to, well, zero.

And, yes, I suspect you'd have room to rotate them if you kept them on-axis with the bolt.

Originally Posted by BMW-North

Taking the bolt out without damaging it?? The f****g bolt is already stripped, what you can't read.

JB Weld and a sacrificial torx bit - you are an amateur. You should probably only offer advice on Kia's or lawnmowers.

You aren't, by any chance, that guy who was going to stick a ghost chili up his ass, were you? If so, that'd explain your attitude. I'd be pretty sore if my ass were on fire like that.

Otherwise, you're barking up the wrong tree and lacking in the whole reading comprehension department. Re-read what I wrote, sit in a corner like a bad little boy, and think about why your response was entirely unwarranted.

any update Jordan?

dremel / easy out FTW. If it was a bolt that was located somewhere else other than in the engine bay I'd suggest channel locks or something like that, but you don't want to waste time and effort. Hopefully you got this worked out.

Originally Posted by flashtwosix

any update Jordan?

Easy out works like a charm, I had no problem with it.

Found this DIY. Thought it might be useful to post ...

http://crustyquinns.com/tech/easyout.html

I am in the same position now, used a t30 being stupid and the DISA bolt stripped.
Any recommendations without using power tools? don't have electrical outlet in the parking lot.

I did the same thing, ended up pushing like a mother ****er into the bolt to try and get the torx seated as far into the bolt as possible...finally got it.

I tried a flat head and hex key too.
no go.
Will try again tomorrow.
problem is the location, can't really use anything to hammer in any little hand tools.

Originally Posted by Drewdown

here's a great thread with a lot of info: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=864113

good luck

I remember that thread. I added a post to it as well, with some additional advice. One other member, qslim, mentioned the product below:
http://www.ezgrip.net/
I got some, and I have to say, I use it all the time now. It works best for Torx and Phillips head screws. I just use it on every fastener now, and it makes a huge difference! It won't help you with a stripped screw, but there is plenty of info in that thread that will help. Order the ezgrip for future jobs.
Another thing that will help in the future, is to buy a quality set of bits, like Wera. They are a little pricey, but if you just buy the tips and use your own driver, then you can get a decent set for $20. They are great bits, and damn near impossible to strip.
The problem with the majority of bits sold for Torx or Hex type fasteners is that they are cheap Chinese crap being dumped on the market. It is the same problem we are facing with auto parts, bearings, etc. But if a Torx bit is even just a little smaller dimension, then they will bugger up the head of the screw. You can find Wera bits on Amazon.

Tried the dremel today. Broke the dremel disc. I had only one in my set left
Tried the hacksaw, no go.
I will buy a little larger dremel disc tomorrow and give it another go.

PS: I bought another DISA bolt from the dealership, cost $3.75