I wanted to remove my 20mm spacers so I could have new rotors and pads installed. While removing (or trying) the last nut I striped it a bit and can't get enough grip with my 17mm 12 point socket to remove it. It's recessed enough that it can't be grabbed with pliers or channel locks. Anyone know of a way I might get it off. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

You can try the Irwin Bolt Extractor set. See if they have a size that will work for your 17mm nut.

 

Thanks for the suggestion speedfreek, I'll see what they have to offer.

 

No problem. You are kind of limited with the space I know. But hopefully that will work otherwise you may have to cut the bolt but trying to not damage the threads will be rather difficult.


Maybe someone will chime in with other ways to try if the extractor doesn't pan out.

 

Stripped or rounded? Another thing to try is perhaps pound a 12pt socket on and use impact wrench.

 

Sorry that you ran into trouble, for future reference always use only 6pt sockets (not saying that you didn't) on spacer nuts, those things are like jelly

 

Try a 6 point first.

Do you have access to any kind of torch? Heating the bolt then spraying with some good penetrating oil while it's hot can also help loosen it up.

Always use never-seize from here on out on your lugnuts.

 

It's rounded which was probably made worse by my using a 12 point socket in the first place. I thought you were supposed to use a 12 pt socket. I guess I'm learning the hard way. I don't have access to an impact wrench so I may have to buy a set of the Irwin bolt extractors and give it a try. I should have asked the members here for advise. I appreciate all the ideas you guys giving me.

 

Made the mistake of using a 12 pt socket. Your right about the nuts being like jelly, it didn't take much effort to start rounding them off. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Yea I would never use a 12pt when working on vehicles. A smaller 12pt should be easier to hammer in than a 6pt at this point.

Do you have HFT close by? Only $23
9 Pc 3/8 in. Drive Metric Bolt Extractor Socket Set

Remember to soak it with liquid wrench or similar penetrating oil to help break lose.

Any pictures by chance? Just curious how round you got the bolt to be.

 

Like HoldmyMouse said, it might be easier trying to hammer on a smaller 12 point socket and going from there. Heat is gonna be one of your best friends in this situation.