Help! Stripped bulk head screws.

Guys trying to install a new bed cover - back flip mx4.I tried to remove the screws holding the bulkhead, and stripped them while doing so. Looks like they were over torqued or something.
Should I take it to the dealership or a shop? I am in the Austin, Tx area.

 

A tight grip with a pair of vice grips will probably get it moving. The challenge is to not scratch the material under the bolt.

Another option is to use a hacksaw blade and cut a groove across the top of the head. You can then turn with a large slot head screwdriver. Breaking the blade in half and using a short segment of it is easier to handle than using the whole blade (put some tape around the ends so you don't scratch your bed if the blade tilts a bit!).

 

Have an angle grinder or dremel? Use a cutoff wheel and put a slot in the head for a regular screwdriver.

 

I'd invest in a screw extractor kit to pull the boogered torx head.

 

Drill, tap in extractor with hammer, remove screw, use proper bit and technique next time. An over torqued torx head doesn't strip, it snaps.

 

This must be Friday, because I have a thread on my screen about being stripped followed immediately by a thread about being horny.

 

Try using the speedout screw extractor...one side drills the bolt and the other side bites into the screw in the reverse mode of a drill.

 

Thanks guys! I will try some of these techniques. How should I go about removing the rest of the screws? I did not mess with the rest since I couldn’t get the first one out. Any specific wrench I need? I just used a standard t30 bit.
TIA

 

They definitely over tightened them. Had to take them to a family members shop and they were like wtf. We ended up just drilling the stuck ones out

 

Dremel or angle grinder and turn it into a flathead. Problem solved, crisis averted.

 

Another option is to try some left handed drill bits. I’ve used them in the past to remove stuck bolts.

The drilling not only works to unscrew the bolt, it also heats the bolt to help break any anti seize placed on the bolts.

 

I did the same thing. Ended up using my set of Vampliers to remove remaining.

 

Yep,

$44 VAMPLIERS 8" Stripped Screw Extractor Linesman Pliers. Made in Japan. Professional Grade Heavy Duty Combination Pliers, Stripped Screw Removal Tool.

Vampliers 'ill do 'er.

 

When you try the rest, try using a decent brand short bit made for a 3/8 ratchet. (I think homedepot stocks Husky brand on their shelves.) If you hold it square to the bolt when breaking loose they shouldn't strip out.

 

Ahhh, quality grade 1 bolts, screws, and nuts.

Sun warmed butter has nothing on the typical automotive ''non critical hardware'' fastening bits and pieces.

 

I’ve had luck with impact drivers to get those out. Anytime I’ve used hand tools I’ve run into the same issues you have there. When I swap between my sport bar and tonneau for the seasons I have those bolts on and off a ton.

I would recommend anti-seizing those bolts as well as buying an extra set of bolts the next time you’re at the dealer. They’re under $2.00 per bolt.

 

A word of caution if you go the bolt extractor route: The bolt that you are working on is on the small side. You will need to use a very small extractor. Even at that, the hole you'll need to drill into the shaft of the bolt will leave very little material left around the bolt shaft. The head will be worthless at that point because the removal of most of the material in the shaft will make it very easy to twist off the head.

Caution #2: Extractors are made of hardened steel. This makes them brittle - and more likely to break. Especially so if they are small (see earlier note). If you break off an extractor inside the shaft of your bolt, you will never drill that thing out (due to the extractor being hardened steel) and your problem will be much worse.

The grooved head and screwdriver is a much safer approach because it doesn't have the possible downside of a broken extractor.

 

Thanks @BOZOJUICE and @e6400ultra Vampliers did it. Once I got the tool it was a breeze to remove the stripped screws. Great product and awesome recommendation!