Rounded timing belt tensioner nut

[Flyingsheep]

Unfortunately I rounded the nut that holds the belt tensioner in place. It's on ridiculously tight. I tried vice grips and they just slip off. I've read that this kit works really well:

http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Industri.../dp/B0000CCXVZ

So I bought it from Home Depot and I don't know how I can fit it on there. I tried the 14mm one and it doesn't just slip on. You seemingly have to hammer it on there to get a bite, but there is no room to stick a hammer in there at all. Can I get advice please? I don't know how someone from this forum managed to make this work when you don't even have space for it.

[DarkHusk11]

I hate that kit... Anyways try hamering a smaller size 12 point socket in there sometimes you can get away with it, also heat it up.

Edit: I reread about the hammer. Have you tried getting it from the wheel well?

[Flyingsheep]

I can't stick a hammer in from the top or bottom. That's how much space I have

[DarkHusk11]

Did you not use the right size socket? If worse comes to worse you might have to take the motor out.

[cp[mike]]

do you have a 6-point (not 12-point!), box-end flat wrench? if you can file off the bulk of the roundedness on the corners and can manage to get the wrench pried onto it, youll have something to apply the leverage to that wont expand at all, and will be unlikely to slip off or round it any more.


the 12-pointed ones are more common and versatile, but they can strip things more easily. 6-point holds better.

[91b20ed]

Clamp some vice grips to it and heat it up with a torch till its red hot. Then as soon as the bolt is not red anymore, break it loose. This will melt the loctite that is probly on the end of the bolt and burn up the corrosion that is there due to the bolt being steel and the block threads being aluminum. Let me know if this works.

[91b20ed]

Almost forgot....It helps to get a better grip with the vise grips if you take a chisel or a flat head screwdriver and beat some grooves around the stripped bolt head.

Its good to spray some penetrating oil all over it before you do this as well and let it sit over night.

[esskater892]

dude if you can use one vise grip to get it on there as tight as possible, then use another vise grip to tighten the vise grip attached to the bolt. i used this method on a rounded bolt under the ps pump for the alternator. if that doesnt work you could use a drimmel tool to square it off so maybe one of your sockets fits it.

sry i have not looked at that link, ide try to find a way with out spending money lol.

oh and dont heat it up till its red hot. thats just asking for trouble.

[Flyingsheep]

Tried penetrating oil for 3 days straight, spraying it on every 5 hours, didn't help a bit. I didn't use the wrong size socket, I was using a 14mm wrench but it was tight as the hulk can make it... so I used an extension bar and once I gave it some force it slipped off. I must had been at an angle and didn't realize it from down below.

Now I can't fit anything 14mm size over it. I've tried grinding it down. I just tried the vice grip trick and got it literally as tight as possible by tightening it with another vice grip, and it still slipped right off as soon as I used the extension bar.

I feel like the only option is to cut the nut off. Can the stud be replaced?

[91b20ed]

You have to heat it up, Im tellin ya its loctite and or corrosion holding that bolt on not the tension. 9 times out of 10 useing this method, it comes right off without even trying. Ive had the same thing happen to the same bolt several times. Ive done hundreds of honda timing belts.

[Flyingsheep]

You sure it's safe to do that? What with a torch? I've heard you shouldn't ever do that.

[alan lx]

From what your saying, your best option will be to get a torch on it, right when it turns red , put the vise grips on tight and start turning. It should break loose then. Your not the first or last guy this has happened to. Good luck.

[91b20ed]

I wouldnet lie to you man. I worked at a dealer for a long time along with tire stores and job shops. Plus I myself have owned 5 civics and 2 integras.

[LadyG]

^^^and you put metal together with FIRE for a living...

91B20ed knows his shit...alan lx has suggested the same.

Just use safety precautions, fire extinguisher ect.

Big boys can play with fire and not get burned!

[wed3k]

maybe a nut splitter would work