Before you remove a hex bolt, especially if you know it is going to be a
bear to remove - I do the following.

- clean out the head of the bolt with 'rost off' and a wire brush.
- use a hex socket and not a hex key.
- whack the socket with a BFH (big freaking hammer).
- tighten the bolt just a bit

Usually if I do those steps it comes loose.  The tightening thing sounds
weird, but it does usually work for me, I think you are pre-stressing the
head in the opposite direct that is about to get stripped in.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
Jason Willenbrock
Sent: September 7, 2003 7:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: hex bolts

why did vw have to use so many hex bolts?
every vanagon i have owned, i have stripped the hex bolts trying to remove
them, wether it be on coolant stuff or on cv stuff.  most recent, the hex
bolt on the left engine side, metal coolant pipe from thermostat housing to
h20 pump. the under hex bolt at pump which is hard to reach.  i can  not get
my 6 mm hex key to fit.  it is border line stripped.  if someone has a good
ideas, it can still be removed.  i tried hammering it into place to no
avail, corrosion is strong.  i need to remove this to replace h2o pump.
will keep working at it tomorrow, i just wanted to vent my frustrations with
hex bolts?
am i alone here, or does everyone have these problems
jason
90gl
87 syncro westy project

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