What are my options? Stripped torx at top of transmission.

[rcfanatic]

I was trying to remove the top torx bolt (M8X35) shown in the image, and while applying an extreme amount of torque it finally broke free, but it was the torx splines that broke free. The head is stripped. Any suggestions on where to start? I wanted to use PB Blaster to help but couldn't find a way of getting it to the bolt. Also it seems like any aftermarket tool for stripped heads would not be able to apply enough torque to loosen it before beginning to slip.

Hopefully I don't have to lift the whole engine out for this.

[RickSloan]

make sure whenever approaching these bolts in the car you always hammer the socket on. If its the proper size and hammered on it should not have any chance to strip.

Since its the top you might be best off lowering the engine for space to get an extractor in there or pulling the motor...

[rcfanatic]

Thanks, yeah I did hammer it on really well just to prevent such an occurence

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'd leave the engine connected to it harness/hoses, but loosen the engine rubber mounts as loose as you can, then pull the front of the engine up, tilting the rear down with a load leveler, and try slotting the head, if that wont work, drill it out, pull the trans, then put a set of vice grips on the remaining portion of the bolt and remove.

[rcfanatic]

How could I slot or drill it out? A 20" extension was the exact length needed to reach the bolt

[Farbin Kaiber]

If you read the part where I said to angle the engine.

[rcfanatic]

Yeah, just seems like way too large of an angle in order to gain access

[Stevo-iX]

you can also go with a similar route and still lower it to that angle and instead cut the head of the bolt off with a dremel. I've done it on a friend's and it works perfectly. Only that one was on the bottom...

[Van Westervelt]

angle the engine from the front, then use a bolt extractor. Easy peasy. I have actually done this for a couple people locally on the same upper bolts.

[rcfanatic]

Do you think those bolt extractors will be able to apply enough torque to break the bolt free without slipping? I thought about doing that but I figured if the original torx splines weren't enough then an extractor couldn't do it. Maybe if I angle the engine enough I'll be able to get some PB Blaster in there..

[Adrian_Visser]

A good extractor will chew itself onto the stripped head tighter than you would think. You'll need a vise to get the extractor off the bolt head after you're done.

[rcfanatic]

Great news! Do you know if the pictured set above is a good set, or do you recommend a certain brand?

[CabbE30]

I angled the trans like everyone else said and then i got a dremel with an extension and used a cutting wheel to grind it off. Took a little while but it worked for me.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Good job. Way to go. Doesn't getting it accomplished make you feel good?

[rcfanatic]

Still no luck. I purchased these extractors because they got really good reviews on amazon. I inserted it over the bolt head, used a dead blow hammer to secure it in place, and then used a variable speed impact to slowly get the extractor to bite into the torx head. Then I used a breaker bar to try and free the bolt. This was after saturating with PB Blaster. Anyway, the extractor eventually slipped and now the head is so rounded that there is no size extractor that will bite into it anymore.

Cabb: How much did you have to raise the engine? It seems like it would have to come up really high in order to not only fit your arm above the transmission but also have the visibility to see what you're doing.

I want to try the dremel as one last effort before I have it towed somewhere with an engine hoist