I'm having a helluva time trying to unscrew those damn allen screws in the back. I can't seem to get the 4mm wrench to bite. I've tried a same size torx bit, and no go. I think the heads have been stripped. If that's the case, am I out of luck? Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I would expect these screws to be Torx, not Allen. Have you damaged them using an Allen key ? Sure you have the right size Torx bit ?

 

According to the various DIY write-ups here, you need a 4mm allen key, which is what may have stripped them. I'm pretty sure a T30 torx bit will fit, but there's not much clearance back there. I need to find a small T30 screwdriver, or a longer T30 bit, because the screws are deeply recessed, and a regular wrench extension won't fit.

 

I would expect them to be Torx as well but it sounds like they are damaged

3 ways to remove them

Option 1
If you have a tig
Tig a bolt to the head of the screw and extract using a spanner on the head of the bolt you TIG's on
If you don't have a TIG either borrow/beg someone that does or use it as an excuse to buy one. If that's not an option try Options 2 and 3

Option 2
Drill out the heads using the largest drill bit you can fit in there
Once the heads are removed the wheel will come off
This will leave the rest of the screw in the boss
You can either file the side and use a wrench to get them out or use some vice grips

Option 3
Do this if option two does not work
Drill out the center of the screw and use a screw extractor
Try this last as the bolt is a small diameter and will be harder to use an extractor

As you working though it just remember ever problem is is blessing to buy more tools!!!
When the misses complains she cant move in the garage its a great excuse to get a bigger shed!!!

Cheers
34by151

 

Ha!

Thanks for the tips. The problem is that there's so little room between the wheel and the dash.

I wonder if I could undo the 4 smaller torx screws that hold that back plastic part to the wheel, and since I'll be trashing the entire wheel anyway, see if I can just break or saw that whole piece off. With that gone, I'll have plenty of room to get to those big bolts.

 

I guarantee you a TIG torch will fit in to weld on a bolt

With tha airbag off it will sill be driveable, drive it to an shop that can TIG it for you. Its truly a 5 min job

Cheers
34by151

 

I forgot all about this thread after I went on vacation, so I'm here to update: I got a good set of torx head allen-type keys and those worked like a charm. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.