4 Ways To Remove Stripped, Rounded, Or Stuck Bolts | GMBN Tech's Guide To Stubborn Bolt Removal

No matter how competent you are working on your bike, it can still be easy to slip with an Allen key and round out a bolt head. It’s particularly easy with things like lock-on grip bolts and 4mm stem bolts - usually as you might be nipping them up with a multi-tool, which can be harder to engage. In this video Doddy shows you a few ways you can easily remove the offending bolt.

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Have you used any of these techniques?

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[gmbntech]

Have you used any of these techniques?

[MTBMOR]

For future reference:
2:00 Glove Trick
3:00 Tool substitutions
4:10 Bond your tool in place
7:24 Drill out (keep drill in reverse)
Thank you for all these great ideas...

[CodSlap]

If you’re using the sacrificial allen key trick, bond the long end of the key into the screw. Once it sets, turn the short end with a small-diameter pipe or by grabbing onto it with an adjustable spanner for leverage. Once the bolt comes off, saw off the bonded end and round its sharp corners with a file. One sacrificial key lets you remove quite a few bolts.

[TheExire]

I've been a mechanic for 20 years. I had never seen the trick with the rubber glove. Super thx. We always keep learning :-)

[Ronni.Petersson]

You can use a saw to make a cut in the bolt and then use a flat screwdriver.

[Rob-pqbk]

The first tip with the glove is genius. Worked immediately.

[amandanorth]

I used this video to help my son with a screw holding his laptop SSD in place. Can always trust Doddy - best video on the topic on YouTube.

PS used all the techniques. For the third, only had superglue, which didn't work. Using the extractor kit drill bit in reverse was enough. I was patient power Doddy's advice, and once it's drilled far enough in, there was enough friction that the screw started turning. Voila.

[chrisridesbicycles]

Bonus trick: You often can find a bit of undamaged hex profile hidden under dirt so it is a good idea to clean out the head. This often helped me on the cleat screws

[samsavill]

This happens to me so much that I may as well shortcut this video so I can watch it at a moments notice. Super helpful. Thanks Doddy 👍

[smithdsmit]

Thanks for Video. I was able to use the rubber glove method to remove a slightly striped allen bolt out of my wheelchair brake lever and then replace it with a new one. You really helped me out of a jam.

[milesdzineku]

“Time to time” me who is more used to Allen wrenches slipping than actually working

[chrisridesbicycles]

The glue-method is really genius. Never seen that before. I had success in creating two flat surfaces for a spanner but this only works if you have enough space like on bottle cage screws.

[trevorwovz]

my work doesn't know that this channel is how iv'e learned to be a mechanic

[DrGlover_FWS]

Used the rubber glove trick on a stripped bolt in a door frame with a manual screwdriver and it worked!! Saved a trip to the hardware store.

[paulpascual]

Man I'm really mad whole day because of my broken brake bolts. You gave me hope. Thank you and more power!

[RideAlongside]

Knipex Cobra Pliers. Best tool I have purchased hands down. Stripped bolts are easily removed.

[tonyjester]

Ive been in and around mechanic and electrical for mist if ny life machine shops...ive used extractirs and such before drilled out...i just had an issue in my motorcycle..one allen screw was a bit tighter then the others and stripped it a bit. It being in an isolated position could not cut slits, wrench. Didnt want to have to drill and did not have a four square to pound in. The glove trick. Magnificent. Just the little extra bite it needed. In all honesty i thought to fill the gap but had figured steel wool paper. Was not sure. Worked like a charm. Thank u. Saved quite a bit of trouble great tip.

[henrygoleau]

The latex/rubber glove method was the solution for me to remove 4 stubborn Shimano inner chainring bolts (torx 25). Thanks!!!

[michaelgearing]

Thank you for the glove technique. I just did it on my crank with both bolts getting rounded. Worked perfectly!

[khchoi]

Depends whether you can get to the side of the head of the bolt. You can file 2 parallel edges on the head. Use an adjustable spanner to open it.