whats the best way to remove these sheer bolts?
Technical Removing ignition
- Thread starter typecastboy
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Technical Removing ignition
whats the best way to remove these sheer bolts?
In the past, I've used an angle grinder to grind a flat part on the sides of the bolt to allow mole grips or similar to grip onto. In a confined space such as that, a dremel tool or similar would probably do the job.
That’s an idea. So you do have to unscrew it? You can’t hammer them out?
Also how fo you remove the fuse box under the dash?
Also how fo you remove the fuse box under the dash?
I couldn't really tell from the photo about how/if they unscrew because of the angle of the photograph. I've never attempted that job. I just thought a dremel might be a good tool to cut them out.
My obvious question to follow is, once you get them out, are you going to replace them like for like? The shear bolts are obviously fitted for safety reasons and there would likely be insurance implications if the vehicle was ever involved in an accident and was subject to forensic examination.
Can't answer the fuse box question either as I've never taken one out. Sorry.
Security rather than safety; it's an anti tamper measure. I'd have thought the insurance implications were more about if the vehicle were ever stolen & recovered.
Getting them out is supposed to be difficult! They might (should) also be hardened steel so difficult to cut/grind. Frupi's dremel idea sounds good, but be prepared to encounter resistance.
You can get generic replacements easily enough from the usual auction site.
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I’m breaking the car so I just want to get them out. I will give it a bash with an angle grinder. Will report back.
LIDL are selling a small battery powered angle grinder this week which looks like it would be just the ticket for this sort of job, and it's only about thirty quid.
I'd imagine you could put one of these to good use.
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I have a conventional angle grinder but a small one would be useful as it’s often difficult to get into tight spaces.
The fastners unscrew. New ones come with a hex above the cone that twists off then the
fastner is tight. To unscrew there are optons:
1/ cut a slot with a cutting disk on a dremel or similar (thin cut off disk on an angle or die grinder if you can get it in the space) and undo a screwdriver
2/ Grind or file flats and use vice grips
3/ Use a left hand drill type screw extractor (might have to grind / file a flat on top first
4/ Grind heads off complely and use vice grips or vice on stub once unit is off car
5/ Weld a nut to it and use a spanner.
They are not normally hardened, it not that high a security item. I've actually got similar fastners loose with the serrated grip part of a Leatherman. They are sharp serrations.
Robert G8RPI.
fastner is tight. To unscrew there are optons:
1/ cut a slot with a cutting disk on a dremel or similar (thin cut off disk on an angle or die grinder if you can get it in the space) and undo a screwdriver
2/ Grind or file flats and use vice grips
3/ Use a left hand drill type screw extractor (might have to grind / file a flat on top first
4/ Grind heads off complely and use vice grips or vice on stub once unit is off car
5/ Weld a nut to it and use a spanner.
They are not normally hardened, it not that high a security item. I've actually got similar fastners loose with the serrated grip part of a Leatherman. They are sharp serrations.
Robert G8RPI.
Thanks, I think grinding a slot for a screwdriver or flat sides for some grips sounds like the easiest option.
Off to Lidl this morning [emoji3]
I’ve had success with a metal cutting disc in a small rotary tool (Dremel-type thing) - I cut a slot across and used a screwdriver bit+ratchet handle. It was an Alfa 156 rather than a FIAT 500, but probably similar and the bolts weren’t terrifically tight as they were threaded into an alloy casting.
Another option you have is to weld something onto the head, but welding inside a car is never nice unless it’s a scrapper and already stripped out.
Isn’t it a pity that just about every brand of cordless tool comes with its own shape of battery and charger?
Best thing I found is to mount the chargers on the garage wall (they usually have keyhole slots), so much easier than having them skating around and getting tangled/lost. I try to get Ryobi One tools as I find their batteries excellent.
-Alex
Another option you have is to weld something onto the head, but welding inside a car is never nice unless it’s a scrapper and already stripped out.
Isn’t it a pity that just about every brand of cordless tool comes with its own shape of battery and charger?
Best thing I found is to mount the chargers on the garage wall (they usually have keyhole slots), so much easier than having them skating around and getting tangled/lost. I try to get Ryobi One tools as I find their batteries excellent.-Alex
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