Fun Fact: 90% of people watching this have been emotionally abused by an inanimate object

Fun fact: Im currently watching this video under my car… after an hour of FAILURE

I've been trying to do this and honestly it would be easier to just buy a new engine that comes with another free non-rounded bolt

changed the alternator for my husband today while he's at work and your video helped. thanks so much for posting :)

bolt stripped. sells car

Went to auto zone. Got the bolt extractor sockets for like $15 bucks. Worked in 3 minutes. I spent almost an hour trying everything from vice grips to channel locks to wd40 to being gentle with a regular socket etc. bought a new plug and am happy. I did have to hammer the socket into place. Thank you.

Your the man! Hammered a smaller socket then used impact wrench. Came right out. A big 7 year later, THANK YOU!

You are my hero. You just explained pretty much all my questions and concerns in one short video. You also explained the issues I was having as well. Now I would love to see a video on how to remove oil filters in hard to reach places.

👍🏻 This is still the only video I can find that shows a true to life situation. Anyone who knows, instantly realises why this bolt is rounded-off in the first instance... ageing vehicle, big thread / high torque bolt, limited access for impact tools, and permanently open to corrosion. Whenever I come across something this bad, I always renew the bolt with a fresh one, and I often use a copper crush washer, or some copper grease when reinstalling (with a few exceptions). Give yourself (or the next guy) a fighting chance.

I'm glad I watched your video. I have a broken off alternator bolt that I need to back out and your solution is perfect!

I chose to watch this video because it was 5 minutes. There are other videos that are 12 minutes long that manage to tell you less information. I'll let you know if these solutions worked, but I appreciate you getting to the point.

This whole entire video boils down to “go get special sockets”

I’ve had pretty good luck with pipe wrenches. Thanks 🙏🏼

thanks a lot man!!! the torque socket worked wonders on my rounded bolt!! I owe you a beer. haha

Excellent video!! Exactly what I’m going thru currently taking off my turbo pedestal on my truck!! That harbor freight socket should do the trick!!

Why do some people think they have to use an air impact to tighten a drain plug?

Thanks man! I got some of them rounded bolt remover sockets they worked great!

Incredible video! Love your dialogue and definitely subscribed!!

Just bought this socket set at Harbor Freight yesterday and removed a rounded rusted nut under my van. Definitely worth it with 20% coupon :)

Thank you very much for this video! You saved me big $$$ having to get the oil pan replaced and I now also know what tools to use to get rounded bolts off!! I used Irwin bolt removers (special sockets) and it did the job great!

Another option that i have used myself is to hold a larger nut in place over the rounded one and weld in the centre of it to the rounded nut, then use the appropriate socket to remove, the heat from the weld helps no end. The same can be done for counter sunk allen sockets.

Just wanted to say thank you. Watched the video on flushing the transmission which Im in the middle of, but 1 bolt on the pan was stripped and the more I tried to get it off, the worse it stripped. Your video on how to remove stripped bolts, i did the drimmel and cut a straight line then used the flathead and hammer to break it loose. Thank you!!!!!

2 thumbs up. Stripped u joint bolt and couldnt get pliers on it. Desperation pointed me to utube and your remedy worked. Thx

Great Video Bro.. Thanks for the tips and I'm going to buy me a Socket set that's for extracting stripped bolts!!

Your video helped me take a drain plug out. Thanks brother

Just used your video to remove a bolt on my heat shield. I used the vice grip method which was rounding it but then used my propane torch to carefully heat up the bolt, And Just the Bolt And Not My Hoses, then the vice grips were able to break it free. Thanks

Thanks brother, you just solved my problem (socket extraction kit from Harbor Freight).

Thank you, I hope it will work for my Transmission pan rounded bolt. Good video!

When using Vise Grips, adjustable wrench, Channel Locks, always turn toward the moveable jaw. The way you had vise grips on the bolt head first was the correct way. Sounds crazy but it really does make a difference. Think of it like using a pipe wrench where you HAVE TO turn toward the adjustable or moving jaw or it won't bite at all. To remove this bolt I would have used a heat gun to heat the pan up around the bolt. Yes, it will heat the bolt also but the hole, nut, female threaded portion will ALWAYS expand faster than the bolt because the hole has less mass. After heating about 5min, hit it with a shot of CRC freeze off. Wait about 1-2 mins. Wipe the bolt head clean/dry. Then get a good bite on the bolt head with vise grips the same way you did the first try in the video and that bolt should come loose without much sweat. There are, of course times were you can't get the vise grips on the right way. When this happens, put them on the other way and get them super tight.

I just want to take time out to thank you for your suggestion (hammering on a slightly smaller [bolt extraction] socket on a rounded bolt) In my case it was a crankshaft pulley bolt... now I have some kid on youtube to thank for his Dewalt dcf899 impact drill suggestion that I combined with this idea! ...man! I was ready to cry out of frustration!

Loved the video sir, thank you and we wish you the best!

Never even thought about cutting a notch into it. Thanks.

Awesome, much appreciated. Used a 3/8 socket to get a striped 10mm out!!!

With vise grip you can use a very large pair of channel locks to clamp the grips to the tightest it can go. Once it's off use the channel locks to snap the release mechanism on the vise grips to open them.

Thanks, pretty helpful. Hopefully I can find those extractor sockets locally.

The socket type that worked is called a Bolt Grip (by Irwin) or Turbo Socket (made by Hudson Bearing, which originated the helical internal shape). There are Craftsman versions, as well as those offered by Harbor Freight and others. Craftsman uses a through-bolt style, so you grip it with a wrench, or you can use a socket to grip the hex bottom. I believe all the other makes permit you to attach the socket directly to a ratchet by it's square drive end. They all use a 6-pt. grip design which bites into the fastener to hold it; the harder you turn, the tighter the grip. Very effective.

Thank you; this saved my ass. Had a stuck lug nut on my jeep and used the hammer technique with my deep socket and got it off.

You do good work man - great videos - great delivery - good basic shop techniques.

I usually go for the vice grips or welding a bigger nut over yeh top, hammer and punch works pretty good on small rounded torx screws etc

Wow on my way to round one in time tight place but just remember that I have that set saved me 🎉❤ thank you

Thanks a lot for this video. I just have this kind question with my oil pan bolt. Will try your method. Thanks again

Also, air hammer works for when you have no swing room. There are Milwaukee vice grips that allow you to torque them using a screw driver instead of clamping with the force of your own hand!

Brooo thank you so much! Eso mismo me está pasando en el motor del carro... Life saver!!!

Simple but saved me on a battery replacement. Thx!

Very good suggestions. Thank you. The tool you mentioned is good.

Thank you. I learned something new today.

Kinda funny how you and scottykilmer both release the same video at the same time with the same title. What you said about swing room made me realize why air hammers are so valuable. Don't know why I never realized it before.

Thanks for the video. You kept me from stripping my oil plug further. The darn garage had tightened it too much last fall. I usually do my own. Can you give me advice, please? If I get my nut out should I not use it again? (It's still got good edges I think). Thanks for any help. Was wondering if I should just suck it up and take it to different garage? Have a good week.

Hi. I'm Pam. Thank you for the Harbor Freight extractor socket technique!!! Bought some, worked like a charm!!😉

Thank you So much!!! You gave me hope after I stripped my hub bolt!

Thank you so much exactly what I needed great video!!!!

Im changing my oil pan on a jeep cherokee. My last nut is stripped and i was out of ideas and desprate ! I see this video and see hope ! Ill head iver to canadian tire to get those strip socket thignies :) so helpfull thank you !

Great video thanks. Any recommendations on how to remove a welded frame bolt that broke while unscrewing a sway bar bolt off? It’s spinning on both ends and vise grips keep slipping on round mount. Maybe a bolt splitter?

Thanks for the video... I have the same problem.. and I just got the set of those nuts removal but I wasn't sure if they would work... now I am more confident that will do it

Thank you! You’re a life saver

Thanksm your videos are alway very helpful.

You're a life saver. Thank you so much.

Good tutorial but here a few tips. You put the vice grips on backwards. You want the short jaw to face the direction you are turning, 2. To remove the extractor, try leaving the ratchet on and grab the lugs with the vice grips and back it off.

Damn this really helped thank you! I’ve been trying to take a bolt off for 1 hour rn 😂😂😂

this worked for me these sockets are a lifesaver

This is a sensible (finally) approach in a typical difficult position. It simply amounts to use the correct tool before you do further damage. This type of socket might not be in everyone's toolbox but they area a low cost purchase & they should be there. My experience tells me that the use of vice grips almost never works & access is almost always the limiting factor.

Love your videos! Thanks.

Thanks so much helped a lot 💯

thank you that is very helpful i have a stubborn 10mm on an old car.

today in 2021 - I had this happen last weekend on a caliper bracket bolt -- so I found a set of GripTite sockets, but they weren't 20 dollars. I had to pay 40 - my how prices have changed... on teh bright side - it came off really easy with that socket... I'm keeping them!

Thanks for showing the video. What would you suggest in regards to removing a bolt for an 02 sensor? One of the bolts spins, gets tight then loose and keeps repeating. Any suggestions?

So satisfying seeing removal of stripped bolts lol. Thanks brother!

Thanks! Headed to harbor freight right now!!

Man, tapping with a hammer saved me so much stress and time. Thanks!

Excellent! Thanks for the tip. I did not know that tool at all. Let's see how the tool is called in German and buy a set.

Socket extractor works like a charm the once I had to use.

Great video, I have a video where I use a shocket like that to remove a GM caliper bolt.

Great content overall 💯

Great video this helped so much

I’ve got A set of those sockets got me out of a sticky spot many times At work would definitely recommend them

I always had some luck with liquid wrench and a pipe wrench ( small pipe wrench) depending on room to work. Worked really good on brake lines and bleeder. A hammer sometimes depends on what you're going to hit. To shock it. Don't do to wrenching anymore. Just putting in my 2 cents. Hopefully it helps someone

Hi, great video. I have a question: how to get out the rusty and rounded axel nut? I have 36mm, but now may be 34-35mm, please help me, thank you!

You did that I thought it may have not worked but I do thank you

I just used an air hammer! It work great!

This was helpful I solved the problem

Great advice. Thanks!

Much appreciated,socket trick worked

I use a grinder to put shape back into. Works great if there’s room

+1 for acting

PROFICIENT Ratchets and Wrench Tutorial great video brilliant 👏 👌 👍 Take care and have a great day PROFICIENT Ratchets and Wrench From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

You definitely used that vice grips backwards. A vice grip's has a proper direction just like a channel-locks or an open end wrench. Just think about it, could you use a pipewrench backwards? At work I preferred a channel locks over a vice grips. And I was pretty good with it. 1:30 Thanks for the video. I had never heard of bolt extractor sockets.

I have same problem,tried to change the transmission fluid and bolt has been stripped.i don't want to do what you did because I don't want to damage transmission.do you have any other option that I can do other than take car to mechanic...just curious

what would you recommend when come to try to remove a stripped nut for a fuel filter?

It's good to have multiple options for this problem because none are perfect.

Another option that goes along with the Irwin grinder and the screwdriver, you file down two opposite (parellel) sides and then you stick a wrench of the original size or smaller size on there, and hammer a screwdriver into the gap you created by filing and then hammer the wrench on a little more so that everything is nice and snug, and then you can easily turn the bolt by using both tools. This requires open space and usually a medium size bolt works best (not gonna be able to do this to some tiny bolt under the car, but this can get you out of some situations)

What I loved about this video is this guy!! We all can totally relate to him!! Unlike many of us get frustrated xD. He is doing whatever there on his disposal. He rounded that shit lol just like us. He fucked up. Plan A didn't work. Plan B didn't work. Plan C still working on it!! He is recording right from the problem...not only the solution...and finally he gets success!! Lmfao I am happy for him. Sadly mine isn't coming out. I will take my bike to the mechanic. It's will cost only 10 rs lol 🤣

So I’ve gone from change my brake pads to probably getting new bolts for my brake caliper because they stripped and I hope those work

I have those, the Irwin version are better quality than the HF, they work well. The Triton stripped stud extractor has saved me with exh studs that snapped off.

Thank you for the Information

This was a good video 💯💯

To get the damaged bolt out of the socket, just put the bolt into vise grips and put your ratchet on tighten up and it will release the bolt. Much easier

I guess you sometimes have to use a ratchet to turn these (owing to the lack of space available to lift the socket off and reposition it), but it can be hard on the ratchet mechanism. You can start it with a turbo socket, then have to switch to a flat wrench or pliers as it backs out for lack of room. Where possible, it's better to use a breaker bar with a long handle instead of a ratchet to protect the mechanism from damage. The extra length also increases the amount of leverage available to you.

Man you saved my life

IDuctor tool heats up the area at point of contact with thermal energy by way of electricity. A cheaper untried by me alternative is one of those tub heating elements that are rounded too & is basically the same concept

Same problem I am having, the more I tried different tools the more I stripped the damn bolt. Thanks for the tips. I have no room to work and I am working on a rear break caliper bracket and I have not yet been able to get it removed.