CPS removal question... rounded bolt and others

[PhillyB]

Hey guys-
This is my first post to the site. I just picked up a 96 CCSB with 104K. The truck runs great and the body is in awesome shape.

I have been doing general maintenance to the truck, oil, filters, etc... and wanted to swap out the CPS as preventative maintenance. The current CPS is the stock one with 17 years and 104K miles on the clock. Needless to say the 10mm bolt it is in there tight and is not cooperating and has rounded off real good.

In my efforts to remove the CPS, I am wondering if I can bend the arm on the CPS bracket down to get to the bolt with vise grips?

The truck runs fine as is and is my DD right now, so I need to ensure the CPS stays fully functional until I can get that bolt out. I just want to make sure bending that bracket or cutting it off is not going to cause problems.

Thanks in advance.

[madpogue]

There are sockets for this purpose now; they bite into the rounded head as you turn counter-clockwise. Look up "Bolt-out" at Sears, or "extractor" on (don't laugh) Harbor Freight. Irwin/Stanley also makes a set.

[PhillyB]

Originally Posted by madpogue

There are sockets for this purpose now; they bite into the rounded head as you turn counter-clockwise. Look up "Bolt-out" at Sears, or "extractor" on (don't laugh) Harbor Freight. Irwin/Stanley also makes a set.

Thanks for the reply. I have a set of the Craftsmen bolt out and they dont bite into the bolt very well. They do a little then slip off.

I am wondering of the Irwin brand might be a little sharper.

[madpogue]

10mm, right? Believe it or not, consider the Harbor Freight product, if you have a retail store nearby. I had a 10mm-head bolt for the serp belt tensioner on my Saturn rounded off. The Craftsman one epic failed; you could see the "teeth" of the tool actually wearing as I tried it. Returned the set, bought a set of the Pittsburg brand at HF, and it worked.

If you have the SAE bolt-outs, you might just want to see if the 3/8" will grab that bugger.

[PhillyB]

I am thinking about buying the Irwin bolt outs. I dont have a HF nearby, so thats not an option at this point.

I am gonna get after it tomorrow. Love spending my Saturdays on the concrete, in sub zero temps, with the Playoffs on.

[jjones96]

If u have room in there u could weld a bigger nut to the top of the bolt... provided room of course

[madpogue]

And provided you have a welder, and a place to plug it in, and the training, and...... Given that there are tools made for this job, available in the $25-30 range, and that they'll likely find additional uses in the future, welding onto the fastener is like firing a cannon at a fruitfly.

[PhillyB]

Has anyone ever used the dremel to cut away the mounting bracket as to expose a few of the threads and take the pressure off the bolt?

I would think this would help allow the bolt buster to get down in there as well

[jjones96]

That was just my. 02 that is what i do if i cant get a bolt out that is rounded over. I forget not everyone has access to the things i do

[madpogue]

Isn't it pretty tight squeeze in there? Wonder if you could get a Dremel tool to reach.