SloopJohnB@mac.com

OK...I think it's the first time I noticed/was confused by it. I still think a stripped bolt is where the thread is stripped. A rounded bolt head, well, we agree.

And wow...an L-shaped allen wrench or hex key? I have a couple dozen of them but have long since gone to allen sockets, along with Torx sockets rather than Torx keys, etc. You can BANG those Allen sockets into the socket head cap screws and they hold rather than strip. A Big Friendly breaker bar or ratchet (use a 1/2" drive breaker bar with a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter for those 3/8 drive allen sockets) works wonders.


Of course, some would uncharitably say I was easily confused...LOL!

divil

Yep sorry that is what I meant - rounded out the hole!

I'm about to go out to tackle it now. I got some Sears damaged bolt removers just in case.

My next question, if anyone knows off the top of their head, it could save me some time: can I use replacement bolts from a hardware store, or do I have to get these ones from Audi? If I can't replace the bolt today, then I'll have to put it all back together now without going any further and give up. I rented special tools from Blauparts and I have to send them back.

OzzyLime

I had to use the hammer on bolt extractor (from sears) to get the lower of those two bolts out. Once it bites it is easy to get out (those bolts aren't torqued very tight). Good luck.

divil

Thanks...what did you use for a replacement? Did you have to get it from Audi?

OzzyLime

I had a pile of old fasteners from the old motor fortunately.

divil

Had a look in Ace Hardware...they have some close matches but nothing quite the same. I'm going to put everything back together and either get a mechanic to do it or tackle it another time. Thanks for the help everyone.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Be VERY afraid of hardware store fasteners...most of them are from China and are generally WRONG.