# HELP!! what to do about rounded bolts

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-what-to-do-about-rounded-bolts/80757>\
**Category:** SON240sx Automotive\
**Created:** [March 21, 2004, 9:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-what-to-do-about-rounded-bolts/80757 "2004-03-21T09:52:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rufio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@rufio](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rufio)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 9:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-what-to-do-about-rounded-bolts/80757/1 "2004-03-21T09:52:38Z")

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I’m in the process of changing my rear rotors and pads and had that one stubborn bolt. Well I keep turning the wrench and then , BAM, it rounded off.

What can i do about this bolt, maybe a vise grip?

I need to get the brakes finished before 4:00 today so all help is appreciated.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![Gonad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gonad/32/5481_2.png) [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 10:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-what-to-do-about-rounded-bolts/80757/2 "2004-03-21T10:09:09Z")

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So which bolt exactly did you round off? Maybe you should have sprayed  
some WD-40 on it prior to turning the wrench and maybe you should have  
considered using sockets instead of wrench. Were you sure you were  
using the right sized wrench?

Anywho, go to Sears and ask them about the Craftsman Bolt Out kit:

[http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?keyword=bolt+out&BV\_SessionID=@@@@0223848795.1079892325@@@@&BV\_EngineID=ccicadckmheimjfcehgcemgdffmdflg.0&bidsite=CRAFT&targetPage=%2Fmercado%2Fsearchall.jsp&vertical=SEARS&displayTarget=searchresults](http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?keyword=bolt+out&BV_SessionID=@@@@0223848795.1079892325@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccicadckmheimjfcehgcemgdffmdflg.0&bidsite=CRAFT&targetPage=%2Fmercado%2Fsearchall.jsp&vertical=SEARS&displayTarget=searchresults)

Good luck.

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**Author:** ![AnDrEw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AnDrEw](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AnDrEw)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 10:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-what-to-do-about-rounded-bolts/80757/3 "2004-03-21T10:26:10Z")

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word of advice. Use a ratchet and socket.  
But depends how tight it is. Get some Gunk liquid wrench and soke the bolt really good. Let the sit for about 1/2 hour.

Then try the vise grips but first try to see if a smaller socket will work. Don’t use another wrench, all you will do is round it more. Be warned if you start using the vise grip you will eventually round it so bad that it will need to be drilled out. Thats if the bolt is seized. You should always use a penetrating oil like liquid wrench. I use that and rarly break bolts that haven’t been removed in 14 years

Also check out Gonads suggestion!

Good luck,

Andrew.

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**Author:** ![schrites240](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@schrites240](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/schrites240)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-what-to-do-about-rounded-bolts/80757/4 "2004-03-21T15:13:53Z")

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vice grips always do the job for me! give it a try!