Need to remove stripped nut on passenger handrail (F3-Limited) - any ideas?

[JimH]

I am installing passenger arm rests on my 2017 F3 Limited, the final nut of the right side back is stripped. It was stripped before I did anything. All other nuts came off without issue. I do not have access to any fancy tools - how do I remove the stripped bolt?

Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[Peter Aawen]

Can you get anything under the Nut &/or head to put a little upward pressure on it as you unscrew?? Saaayy, the fine tip on an engineer's pick? Or a small flat-bladed screwdriver? Use a piece of cloth to go under it to pad & protect the surrounds as you lever - a little upward pressure is often just enough to hold it from spinning and get those to come out, but you do need to unscrew them still.

Good Luck! :cheers:

 

[Elwood58]

Try heating with a hair dryer.

 

[djh3]

I'm trying to remember as I just took my hand grips off to install armrest for wife. But I think the bolts just screw into a threaded hole on frame.

 

[Mikey]

That bolt is probably in one of those inserts, the inserts turning. Is the bolt in a resist hole? Could you cut the head of the nut off, drill it out, or something along that line, then assess the damage after you get it apart?

 

[JimH]

Update: Thanks all for the suggestions - I was able to get the (hex) screw out. I took it to the garage where my cars go, figuring the mechanic must deal with this routinely, and yes, he does. He hammered something into it and then used a socket to get it out - 10 minutes tops. The other thing is to get an attachment for an impact drill which creates a reverse threading and then takes it out. Supposedly for easy. Anyway, arm rest are on job complete. Thanks all. Maybe someone in the future may benefit from my circumstance.
Thanks again! hyea:
Jim

 

[djh3]

Maybe he is referencing "Ez Out" But in 50+ years of working on mechanical stuff aint none of it EZ

 

[PMK]

The wording in the opening post seemed vague and misleading each time I read the words. Let me explain. While the wording stated the nut was stripped, and possibly it was, more likely the nut was fine, as we learned when a qualified tech simply removed the fastener.

I suspect the head of the fastener, very possibly a Torx style since no drilling was mentioned, was rounded out, not allowing the Torx bit to adequately securely lock into the fasteners head.

The trained mechanic with a proper spiral easy out, likely positioned the easy out into the damaged Torx opening, without drilling anything and simply unscrewed the damaged fastener.

The actual nut itself was never stripped or replaced.

Overall though, the best lesson learned in a post such as this is seeing the original person learned and established the limits of their tools and ability. Then wisely obtained skilled help. So many times internet forums or FB groups offer up many sorts of credible advice, that is accepted and worked by unskilled hands that go too far, causing extensive complications.

So I applaud seeing qualified help utilized, not apparent damage done and the armrests are now installed.

 

[JimH]

The wording in the opening post seemed vague and misleading each time I read the words. Let me explain. While the wording stated the nut was stripped, and possibly it was, more likely the nut was fine, as we learned when a qualified tech simply removed the fastener.

I suspect the head of the fastener, very possibly a Torx style since no drilling was mentioned, was rounded out, not allowing the Torx bit to adequately securely lock into the fasteners head.

The trained mechanic with a proper spiral easy out, likely positioned the easy out into the damaged Torx opening, without drilling anything and simply unscrewed the damaged fastener.

The actual nut itself was never stripped or replaced.

Overall though, the best lesson learned in a post such as this is seeing the original person learned and established the limits of their tools and ability. Then wisely obtained skilled help. So many times internet forums or FB groups offer up many sorts of credible advice, that is accepted and worked by unskilled hands that go too far, causing extensive complications.

So I applaud seeing qualified help utilized, not apparent damage done and the armrests are now installed.

Thanks PMK! I will make sure in the future my wording is more accurate and concise. You are correct, I did not properly describe the issue - thank you for the insight, I really appreciate it.
Jim