stripped bolt thingy

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 05:54 PM

I got my car in the air the other day and noticed a leaking power steering line. I'm trying to replace it right now, but ran into a snag. It looks like someone already tried doing this to the car, but with a cresent wrench rather then 18mm, so the lower bolt head is stripped. Is it ok to just cut the line and pray to get a socket on it, or should I try any other options first?

**jiveass** · 03-07-2010, 05:57 PM

can vise grips turn it? i dont know exactly what line you speak of so i cant recommend cutting it. if its a high pressure line that you are planning on re-using then i wouldnt cut it.

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 06:03 PM

It is the high pressure line, and I have the replacement for it as well. Trying to upload a pic of it now.

**jiveass** · 03-07-2010, 06:09 PM

well if you must cut it to get it off, i say go for it, since you have the replacement hose. What do you plan on using to get it out of there since its stripped? small pipe wrench or vise grips should bite it good enough to turn it.

**Cutlass** · 03-07-2010, 06:12 PM

cut it and throw a socket on there. It'll come right out

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 06:14 PM

I was hoping to get a 32 point or whatever deepwell on it, but I just realized I bought the wrong one...

I know my tools, just not the proper names of them.

**justinmc978** · 03-07-2010, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sas

It is the high pressure line, and I have the replacement for it as well. Trying to upload a pic of it now.

thats what mine looks like too

how hard is it to replace? hoping this isnt one of those "well if you have to ask then.." things

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

thats what mine looks like too

Ugly isn't it? Just detailed the top of the engine bay, and was gonna start on the bottom once this line is replaced.

Doesn't look like it should be to hard, once I get things loose.

**pajeff02** · 03-07-2010, 06:20 PM

Hose things down with brake clean first -- it certainly doesn't help having everything all oiled up.

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Hose things down with brake clean first -- it certainly doesn't help having everything all oiled up.

Just went out and did that, and also found out my vice grips grew legs somehow...

**Cutlass** · 03-07-2010, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Sas

I was hoping to get a 32 point or whatever deepwell on it, but I just realized I bought the wrong one...

I know my tools, just not the proper names of them.

32?? never heard of such a thing

no you want a 6 point on that or in a pinch try a 12 point.

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 07:13 PM

I just tried cutting the line, but realized I don't have anything that could cut it around here. I'm worried vice grips are going to damage it to much without getting it any looser. Found a pair in my truck that I forgot I had...

**cammed goat** · 03-07-2010, 07:24 PM

Vice grips
Crow's foot socket in the needed size.

If all else fails, buy a replacement line and cut the old one with adjustable tubing cutter, hammer needed socket over stuck end of line and remove with ratchet.

**Sas** · 03-07-2010, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

Vice grips
Crow's foot socket in the needed size.

If all else fails, buy a replacement line and cut the old one with adjustable tubing cutter, hammer needed socket over stuck end of line and remove with ratchet.

That's what I'll probley have to do in the morning, since I need to get a tubing cutter somewhere. Thanks for all the help everyone!

**cammed goat** · 03-07-2010, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Sas

That's what I'll probley have to do in the morning, since I need to get a tubing cutter somewhere. Thanks for all the help everyone!

Lowe's or Home Cheapo sells the cutters. Look for the ones with the knob on top as these cutters are small and can get into tight spaces.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-08-2010, 06:38 AM

Wow what timing. I just posted something like this in my thread "stuck on side of road."

Be glad you got it now. I didn't see this leak and now it has killed my alternator and fried the battery as a good measure. I had to limp it home on a fresh battery. Parts are order. Besides the screwed up bolt any other problems? suggestions?

**Sas** · 03-08-2010, 09:41 AM

Finally got the new hose on and been working at it a couple hours now. Penetrating spray is a must I've learned, it would have had the thing off last night. The fluid that came out looks clean, so I'm wondering, do I have to flush the system? I just noticed the clip is broken off what I think is the oil return hose (the rubber line coming off the drivers side bottom of where you fill it with fluid.) My hands are to big to get in there, so I'm not sure how I'd get it off.

**Sas** · 03-08-2010, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Wow what timing. I just posted something like this in my thread "stuck on side of road."

Be glad you got it now. I didn't see this leak and now it has killed my alternator and fried the battery as a good measure. I had to limp it home on a fresh battery. Parts are order. Besides the screwed up bolt any other problems? suggestions?

No other problems really, other then problems from the previous owner, like a broken line clip. Feeding it through the top seemed the easiest.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-08-2010, 10:04 AM

did you have to pull the pump to switch the lines?

**Sas** · 03-08-2010, 10:32 AM

No, but I only switched out the pressure line, I tried looking for the return line as well to do them both, but no place around even shows a power steering return line.