I've been working on a friends 96 Grand Am.

He needs new rear wheel bearings and I've already changed one, BUT... I started on the other side and kept breaking tools on it!

The genious' at GM decided to make it a nut/bolt combo instead of threading the knuckle on it.

These are Torx T-50 bolts and a simple 15mm nut... BUT I have snapped three of the Torx bits on it already! I'm wondering what I should do to get this to work... He needs the bearing replaced, I need the cash.

I'm wondering if it would be better if I used an impact gun on it because all of the constant force on the bit made it shatter, yes, 3 of them shattered on me by just using a breaker bar!

I used PB blaster on the nuts in the back, but that didn't seem to help, so I tried a propane torch to try to heat them to loosen them.

I'm working on his car tomorrow (Monday) at 2pm and I'd like some advice on how to get this shit done. One side is done (and that made a world of difference!!!), and I have one more to go.

If all else fails (and I have the last T-50 bit from ACE) I may drill through and buy him new nuts and bolts.

Any advice?

__________________________________
-Ryan

Oxy/acelyne torch and red hot part. Sorry bud, not the answer you were prolly looking for.

Terry

Thanks Terry. If I end up snapping the Craftsman bit I'm just going to say screw it and drill through the damn bolt.

No, not quite the advice I was hoping for.

Tools at my disposal:

(2) T-50 Torx bits (one Craftsman, brand new, and one ACE, going to snap again).
Assorted Breaker Bars and normal tools.

Air compressor
1/2 inch drive impact wrench.

Propane torch

Drill and bits

Wild imagination and clever solutions.

__________________________________
-Ryan

Car is DONE!!!!

Broken T-50 torx bit count: 4
Amount of blood shed... minimal

Total time: 4 hours


I ended up shattering another ACE bit and said I'm not going to do that to a Craftsman... I'll drill through the remaining 3 bolts and buy new ones out of my own pocket.

Total cost to me: $40

Amount received: $50

But... it was for a friend, so he paid for the hardware needed and bought me some beer or 1/6 tank of gas (Trailblazer).

I'm glad it's done, he's glad it's done.

__________________________________
-Ryan