SanDiegoXJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Diego, CA
So I had this knocking sound in the engine and after reading several posts suggesting loose torque converter bolts, I figured it was worth a look. I went to pop off the inspection plate and the 2 3/4" bolts came off like a breeze, one 13mm came out easy, but when I got to the 13mm directly behind the oil pan, it stripped.
Since I couldn't get a socket wrench up in there, I put a socket on it and used a prybar to press it on. Then I grabbed the socket with vise grips and gave a good yank....socket twisted right off the end just like the wrench. So at this point, I figured, no harm in just sticking vise grips on it and torqing it off. Unfortunately, even the vise grips aren't grabbing. They too just twist forward right off the bolt head.
I cant get in with a drill bit to try and drill a hole and use an EZ-Out, nor can I hammer on a smaller socket without first removing the oil pan....which I'd prefer not to do. I thought about using a grinder to flat spot 2 sides and try again with the vise grips, but I don't think a grinder is gonna fit up in there either.
Anyone got any wonderful words of wisdom on how to get this bugger out?
Since I couldn't get a socket wrench up in there, I put a socket on it and used a prybar to press it on. Then I grabbed the socket with vise grips and gave a good yank....socket twisted right off the end just like the wrench. So at this point, I figured, no harm in just sticking vise grips on it and torqing it off. Unfortunately, even the vise grips aren't grabbing. They too just twist forward right off the bolt head.
I cant get in with a drill bit to try and drill a hole and use an EZ-Out, nor can I hammer on a smaller socket without first removing the oil pan....which I'd prefer not to do. I thought about using a grinder to flat spot 2 sides and try again with the vise grips, but I don't think a grinder is gonna fit up in there either.
Anyone got any wonderful words of wisdom on how to get this bugger out?