I'm attempting to take out the cargo barrier in my van, but it's secured with button head hex bolts that I just can't seem to loosen. I've made some progress, but I've also half-stripped a few bolts from my rather frustrated attempts. I've scoured the internet for solutions, watched some tutorials on YouTube, and tried using penetrating oil, tapping the bolts with a hammer (which was strangely satisfying!), and even applied some heat with a hair dryer, but nothing is working. Unfortunately, I can't get to the other ends of the bolts to use a wrench or anything similar. I would really appreciate any creative suggestions before I lose my patience! Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
I suggest drilling off the heads of the bolts to remove the barrier, then using vice grips to get the stubs out. You might also weld on a nut to get enough grip to unscrew them. Just make sure to take care of the drilling since they could be stainless steel; you don’t want to ruin your drill bits!
If you’re finding it impossible to loosen those bolts, I’ve had success using a hand impact driver with a hex bit. You can also try a hammer and flat chisel—angle the chisel on the edge of the bolt so that when you strike it, it turns the head and loosens it. Once it’s free, a hex wrench should do the trick! Just be careful, as vice grips can slip off these types of bolts easily.
That’s actually a great method! Hitting it with a chisel could really help break it loose without too much effort.
Before you go all out with drilling, make sure you’re using good quality hex wrenches! Sometimes a cheap one won't grip well. Also, double-check that you have the right size, since those bolts are usually metric. If you already stripped some, look into using bolt extractors or left-handed drill bits to help with those stubborn ones.
Good point about the metric sizes! That can often be a pain if you grab the wrong wrench.
Definitely a solid plan! Just be prepared for some extra work once you drill them off.