Frozen Oil Filter Bolt

Hey, i cant seem to take the main bolt off of my xj, and it seems like quite the important bolt according to my haynes manual so im not eager to hit it with a blowtorch (plus you know, oil). my 13mm slips off the bolt, my 12mm is too small, and no standard fits it. any ideas guys?

 

Welcome to XJ Bikes. You need a damaged bolt socket to grip it. They have a left hand helical grip that bites into the bolt head, and you can then renew the bolt. Another thing is to use six point conventional sockets on bolts as the twelve point ones are more likely to damage them.

 

Like these but make sure you get the correct size.

 

fantastic, thanks franz! as soon as its daylight here im headed to home depot. btw what part of Scotland are you from? i got my degree from aberdeen and my best friend lives in ayrshire. we talk every weekend

 

I am 40 miles from Ayrshire near Glasgow. Last time l was in Aberdeen me and my wife stayed with friends in Ellon. l like the Granite city.

 

You can try grinding the hex so an adjustable wrench has more to grab hold of. Make a rectangle with 2 long sides for the wrench.

 

I'm having the same problem. That bolt is a tough one ... How did you manage to get it out ??

 

You can get the same sockets outlined above or do what Simmy advised. Are you using six sided sockets?

 

you might try to hammer on a 12point socket thats close. but if it doesnt work you have damaged the bolt more. absolute worst case it grinding off the head. pull oil filter housing off. use vice grips to spin out remainder of bolt. no matter what method you use, order a new bolt don reuse that. and always use 6point socket in the future

 

Do not over torque your new bolt or you will be in the same boat again. Torque value is on the filter cover above the bolt.

 

you can also try and chisel it round - lots of small taps - like an impact driver would do.

 

You could cut round the periphery of the bolt head with a dremmel type of tool just deep enough to remove the bolt integral flange in sections which should reduce the clamping force and allow you to turn the bolt with a left handed socket extractor.

 

oh i forgot this was still up, sorry ppl. thanks franz i used the damaged bolt socket and t came out like a charm

 

Thanks Guys. It turned into a two day job, with lots of coffee breaks.
I bought a 12mm bolt extractor which the bolt just chewed up without removal.
I bought a different brand bolt extractor from eBay.
While waiting for it to be delivered I strayed lots of PB Blaster on it and left it overnight.
The next day my neighbor arrived with a DeWalt 11mm extractor. I hammered it onto the bolt and with an extra long breaker bar managed to free it.
Of course I had to order a replacement bolt, but it was less than $10. I cross referenced the part number and found it was used on lots of UJM's of the period.
I purchased the bolt listed for another application, not sure what it was now.
Again, thank you all for your advice. Now onto the shaft drive oil.

 

Spin oil filter conversion kits are a good modification. Chacal has them you can contact him at XJ4ever.com if you wish.