Replacing Belts, Rounded bolt

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Fred - 08 Aug 2007 20:41 GMT

Replacing PS belt on a 77 Dodge Van 318. The adjuster bolt head is
partly rounded and having problems getting a grip to loosen it. I don't
think even a closed end wrench will work.

Any ideas on easiest way to remove it? I don't have air tools only hand
tools. Vice grips and liquid wrench? But it's in there pretty tight. I
don't have access to power where I am so cannot even use power tools. I
suppose I could try using the old screwdriver, turn engine over
automatic placement method for new belt, but not sure the new belt won't
need further tightening and this is kinda risky.

Do they make belts that are split and self adjusting. I have seen them
for emergency use only, but I've never seen a belt that was designed to
work that way long term.

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Steve W. - 08 Aug 2007 23:22 GMT

> Replacing PS belt on a 77 Dodge Van 318. The adjuster bolt head is
> partly rounded and having problems getting a grip to loosen it. I don't
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> for emergency use only, but I've never seen a belt that was designed to
> work that way long term.

Heat the bolt and spray it with LR. Hit it a couple times directly on
the head like you were driving a nail. Once you free it up replace it.

The likely result of using a screwdriver to remove the old belt will be
that it is longer than the new belt.

Signature

Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York

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J J - 11 Aug 2007 17:12 GMT

Best tool I found for removing a rounded nut or bolt is a Vicegrip
wrench. Not to be confused with their vice grip pliers.

The head is different in that it has six sides (to grip the nut) rather
than the little teeth of the pliers. Got mine at Westlake hardware for
about $9.00

You can go to the Vicegrip website and look up their list of products to
see one.

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cuhulin@webtv.net - 11 Aug 2007 18:01 GMT

I own quite a few Visegrip pliers.I didn't know Visegrip is also making
wrenches.I am going to look them up.
www.devilfinder.com Visegrip Tools
cuhulin

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Nate Nagel - 08 Aug 2007 23:35 GMT

Get a set of "impact bolt-outs" from Sears. One of the few gimmick
tools I've tried that really work. I bought them to remove some
stripped socket-head cap screws from the blower mount on SWMBO's
Corrado; they got those out like buttah. I was a happy, happy camper as
the heads were recessed into holes in an aluminum bracket; Plan B
would have been to cut the bracket off the engine block (how? I hadn't
thought that far ahead yet) and obtain a new one from a junkyard (where
do you find a Corrado in a junkyard?) and/or drill the bolts out (drill
out 12.9 bolts? yeah, that'll be fun) and retap holes.

nate

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cuhulin@webtv.net - 09 Aug 2007 01:56 GMT

Sears sells some wrenches that are suppose to be really good for
removing rounded off bolts, according to some Sears commercials I have
seen on tv.If you have a pipe wrench with good sharp jaw teeth, that
might work too.A big Visegrip pliers with the jaw teeth in the middle of
the jaws and get a very, very tight grip on the bolt might work, it has
worked for me a few times before.
cuhulin

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larry moe 'n curly - 09 Aug 2007 06:43 GMT

> Replacing PS belt on a 77 Dodge Van 318. The adjuster bolt head is
> partly rounded and having problems getting a grip to loosen it. I don't
> think even a closed end wrench will work.

How about a socket or closed-end wrench with just six sides, or, if
you can't find a 6-sided closed-end, a flare nut wrench?

> Do they make belts that are split and self adjusting. I have seen them
> for emergency use only, but I've never seen a belt that was designed to
> work that way long term.

Some magazine once tested several and found that they all fell apart
in just a few miles.

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