Stripped front drive shaft bolt - Triple Square

[vtraudt]

Trying to get the drive shaft bolts off (2002 Allroad), I stripped several of the triple square bolts (first time this happens to me, but they are on crazy tight on this one; got the passenger side off, but now stuck on driver side).

Any good tips?

Left the car in frustration yesterday evening:
- bolts received good 'smack' on the triple square to 'seat' the triple squares and to shock/loosen the bolt
- soaked in PB Blaster prior. Another soaking before I gave up to let sit overnight

On Allen heads, i had good luck in the past hammering a next size up Torx in there. But on triple square?

If heat: how much can be applied?

[Sparkstack]

I've had the same thing happen. Find an Allen head that is just slightly larger and smack it in. It helps if you have some really long socket drive extension bars so you can beat it to death outside the wheel arch area. Using two or three extensions gives you a nice wobble factor also.

[Racin2redline]

Happened to me on one bolt. I managed to get it off with vice grips

[G0to60]

One trick I've done on my old VW axles (same triple square style) when they strip is to pound on a slightly smaller socket over the head of the bolt. It's worked for me on several occasions.

[julex]

get a bolt off kit, that's stuff bites harder the harder you attempt to undo the bolt since it is left "threaded". SAE size fits all the bolts on audi, I know I used them several time including axle and shaft bolts. You can get it at your local FLAPS.

I would also get a can of freeze off, that's in a can where all the other cool stuff like brake cleaners is at FLAPS.

[A62TURBO]

+1 on the vice grips.

[ENDEE666]

+1 on the vice grips.

Sells his soul, I mean Audi, and still comes by to show love... What a swell guy!!

You are still allowed to park with AZ at Waterfest with a 996TT btw..

[vtraudt]

I've had the same thing happen. Find an Allen head that is just slightly larger and smack it in. It helps if you have some really long socket drive extension bars so you can beat it to death outside the wheel arch area. Using two or three extensions gives you a nice wobble factor also.

Didn't work. Appears those triple square bolt heads are REALLY hard and do NOT want to deforma/conform to Allen (inside), Torx (inside), Socket (outside).

[vtraudt]

+1 on the vice grips.

They did not bite, slipped right off (hard bolt head prevents 'grip'). May work when first flattened with dremel?

[Racin2redline]

I see. Sounds dumb were they a new pair of vice grips? Tried an old set they slipped off. New set had the grip

[vtraudt]

Previous attempts with sharp chisel failed (slipping off, bolt head too hard).

I ended up using a dremel to cut a groove/slot into the head, then used pneumatic hammer with chisel in that slot.

That turned it loose.

[Bigglezworth]

Previous attempts with sharp chisel failed (slipping off, bolt head too hard).

I ended up using a dremel to cut a groove/slot into the head, then used pneumatic hammer with chisel in that slot.

That turned it loose.

I had this exact thing happen on my passenger axle 4 months ago. I ended up using a Dremel with good cutting disk to lop the head off. Once the head was ground off and the axle pulled out of the output flange, the shaft of the bolt simply turned out with no damage to threads. Have since replaced all the triplehead fasteners on my axles with allenhead fasteners.

[Sparkstack]

Have since replaced all the triplehead fasteners on my axles with allenhead fasteners.

You'll regret that.