Stripped Pulley Bolt

[An20Olives]

So ive made a wonderful mess tonight. I was installing the VVT crank capture on my M4, all is going well super easy. I somehow managed to strip or (what it feels like) the last bolt holding the pulley on . Does anyone have any idea how to get this thing out with the limited space? I am going to grab an Etorx socket tomorrow and see what I can do. But after that its the dealer or shop

Update:
I ended up towing the car to a shop that is taking care of it. Etorx and a extractor failed to remove the bolt.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by An20Olives

So ive made a wonderful mess tonight. I was installing the VVT crank capture on my M4, all is going well super easy. I somehow managed to strip or (what it feels like) the last bolt holding the pulley on . Does anyone have any idea how to get this thing out with the limited space? I am going to grab an Etorx socket tomorrow and see what I can do. But after that its the dealer or shop

When you say strip do you just mean stripped the head? Or did you strip the threads or snap the head? I assume you just stripped the head, in which case your etorx idea is probably the best option without removing the front end. Could you take a pic of it with your phone? Like slide it up or down in front of the crank bolt depending on how you’re accessing it

[An20Olives]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

When you say strip do you just mean stripped the head? Or did you strip the threads or snap the head? I assume you just stripped the head, in which case your etorx idea is probably the best option without removing the front end. Could you take a pic of it with your phone? Like slide it up or down in front of the crank bolt depending on how you’re accessing it

Yeah, just the head of the bolt im hoping the etorx works don't feel like dealing with the hassle of moving this thing to a shop. I also have the hex bolts from the VTT kit would it be bad to install those until I get it to a shop in the worst-case scenario?

Looking at the bolt it looks like it still has some meat to grab onto using an etorx, hopefully.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by An20Olives

Yeah, just the head of the bolt im hoping the etorx works don't feel like dealing with the hassle of moving this thing to a shop. I also have the hex bolts from the VTT kit would it be bad to install those until I get it to a shop in the worst-case scenario?

Looking at the bolt it looks like it still has some meat to grab onto using an etorx, hopefully.

Yeah I would personally try an etorx as it does look like the fins are still there. How were you taking those bolts off if you weren’t already using an etorx socket?

[An20Olives]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Yeah I would personally try an etorx as it does look like the fins are still there. How were you taking those bolts off if you weren’t already using an etorx socket?

An 8mm actually, I had no issue getting any of the other bolts off and it even fit snug, the walkthrough I referenced for this was using that without issue as well. I honestly think I came at this one in particular wrong I guess you live and learn.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by An20Olives

An 8mm actually, I had no issue getting any of the other bolts off and it even fit snug, the walkthrough I referenced for this was using that without issue as well. I honestly think I came at this one in particular wrong I guess you live and learn.

Gotcha, I figured it would be something like an 8mm. No biggie, looks like there’s enough for an etorx to grab onto, just make sure the profile of the socket works with the tight space (not too long and not too short)

[icegrill]

What were you previously using to remove the etorx bolts?

[An20Olives]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Gotcha, I figured it would be something like an 8mm. No biggie, looks like there’s enough for an etorx to grab onto, just make sure the profile of the socket works with the tight space (not too long and not too short)

I tried to get some more pics from better angles, I also plan on getting a simple socket extractor tomorrow also no idea if that's safe to use with these bolts worried they would snap considering the aluminum.

[rmanm4]

Use a locking pliers set if it's stripped to the point that you can't hammer in a etorx. You should order a new bolt and maybe replace any other ones that don't look perfect

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by rmanm4

Use a locking pliers set if it's stripped to the point that you can't hammer in a etorx. You should order a new bolt and maybe replace any other ones that don't look perfect

Locking pliers might work but there's not a lot of room there. The kit comes with it's own bolts so he's fine.

Use an etorx like you were supposed to OP You can't follow every DIY "walkthrough" to a T because they seem to use different parts bins for different years I guess. Doing something easy like my midpipe I had etorx bolts where metric bolts were supposed to be according to one write-up or video and vice versa on something else.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Actually I think something like a 5/16 12 point fits better than a 8mm on the etorx....but in your situation maybe go buy the correct etorx. But see how the 5/15 fits

[icegrill]

Originally Posted by horsepower_and_hounds

Actually I think something like a 5/16 12 point fits better than a 8mm on the etorx....but in your situation maybe go buy the correct etorx. But see how the 5/15 fits

Still wondering what socket was actually used to round of the head?

[An20Olives]

Originally Posted by icegrill

Still wondering what socket was actually used to round of the head?

It was an 8mm, just to update I ended up having the car towed to a shop and had the capture installed. Probably just should have in the first place.

[dms-01]

Live and learn man. We've all done stupid shit like this at one point or another working on cars. Glad you got it sorted.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by An20Olives

It was an 8mm, just to update I ended up having the car towed to a shop and had the capture installed. Probably just should have in the first place.

All good dude - much worse can happen... seen guys strip their oil drain plug threads just doing an oil change and that's a fix your wallet won't soon forget

[MR_X]

Should’ve gotten an extractor socket set,

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-BOLT-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[An20Olives]

Originally Posted by dms-01

Live and learn man. We've all done stupid shit like this at one point or another working on cars. Glad you got it sorted.

That's how I'm trying to look at it, kicking myself a bit considering it could have been avoided.

[An20Olives]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

All good dude - much worse can happen... seen guys strip their oil drain plug threads just doing an oil change and that's a fix your wallet won't soon forget

Wallet definitely won't forget but such is the price of ownership. Thankfully its all sorted and ill be picking her up tomorrow .