Stripped Allen screw/nut

[andykam]

I am not sure if this is where to post this question but any help is appreciated.

I have a Toro Wheel horse 522xi with an Eaton 11 trans.

My problem is that in my attempt at removing the drain plug for the transaxle / hydraulics, I very carefully (and easily) stripped it. This piece has needs an allen wrench to remove. It looks as though it is all threads, (no cap or flange) into the cast iron, meaning that is not typical like the drain plugs on a car that I am familiar with.

So what is the best way to proceed. I have already tried appying heat to the nut and hitting with an ice cube in hopes of having the metal contract, while using an easy out but with no success.

1. Drill it out?

2. More heat?

3. Spot weld another nut and try again?

4. Have a professional take care of it?

5. Leave the oil in it and make believe I never attempted to be proactive with maintenance?

Thanks
Andy K

 

[jon1996]

I have dealt with alot of drainplugs on trucks both the 1/2" square and the hex plugs, When one is stripped I always went and welded a 3/8" bolt in it or 1/2" if it would fit, then I would put a regular socket on the head of the b alot and remove the plug, heat when its welded helps to loosen it also

 

[RavensRoost]

I was successful getting a hex drain plug out by hammering in a Torx bit of appropriate size into hole that was formerly hex shaped (has 3/8" drive for ratchet, click below URL for tool example.)

On another plug, this did not work until I used a spiral screw extracor to open it up for an even larger Torx bit.

I think some of the benefit came from the actual tapping itself to loosen thread sealer.

Amazon.com: Lisle 27200 Torx Bit Set: Automotive

Good luck........

 

[sweettractors]

I am not sure if this is where to post this question but any help is appreciated.

I have a Toro Wheel horse 522xi with an Eaton 11 trans.

My problem is that in my attempt at removing the drain plug for the transaxle / hydraulics, I very carefully (and easily) stripped it. This piece has needs an allen wrench to remove. It looks as though it is all threads, (no cap or flange) into the cast iron, meaning that is not typical like the drain plugs on a car that I am familiar with.

So what is the best way to proceed. I have already tried appying heat to the nut and hitting with an ice cube in hopes of having the metal contract, while using an easy out but with no success.

1. Drill it out?

2. More heat?

3. Spot weld another nut and try again?

4. Have a professional take care of it?

5. Leave the oil in it and make believe I never attempted to be proactive with maintenance?

Thanks
Andy K

If it was that easy to strip the hex out, You should be able to drill it and extract with a easy-out. Available at most automotive and Hardware stores. Ken Sweet

 

[Thomas]

Maybe easy out..sold at most hardware/auto stores might do the trick.

Use spray lube when useing easy out.

 

[sweettractors]

Welding could be a little risky and the EZ-Out method can sometimes expand the plug, making it harder to get out. If some of the threads are still visible, I've drilled plugs out with progressively larger bits until the remains of the plug are very thin. Then I would tap the visible threads with a drift punch until the plug edges collapsed inward. It's another option to think about and usually leaves the internal threads intact.

As a retired Machinest, I have used that procedure many times with great success. Just be extra careful to start exactly in the center and don't let the drill bits drift off center. Also, make sure none of those pieces of threads get back up into the housing and cause collateral damage later. Ken Sweet

 

[paulinkansas]

Try using a left handed drill bit to drill out the center of the bolt.

 

[brianMO]

I vote on the progressive larger left hand bit. I have had great success with these bits.

 

[tjc1989]

Drilling it out is my suggestion. If I was doing it, that would be my way.

If it fails and you get too far off center and booger the threads, don't panic, you can heli-coil it with some new stainless steel thread inserts to repair the damaged threads. Good luck.

 

[Wis Bang]

I vote on the progressive larger left hand bit. I have had great success with these bits.

My vote also.

Left hand twist bits often loosen the bolt as they bite into the mass...less likely to expand the bolt like an E Z Out...

Once I broke a bolt off in a friend's flywheel while doing his clutch. Took it to work and placed it in the vise to drill it out. I center punched the smoothe end so I was drilling into the end opposite the broken part getting the same result, the broken bolt backed out.