Removing Wheel Rim Rounded Hex Socket Countersunk Screws

[Lloyd Johnston]

Hi all,

Anyone got a good way/tool to remove rounded hex socket countersunk screw from a wheel rim so it can be swapped?

Cheers
Lloyd.

 

[Kieran527]

Use a ball pein hammer, the ball end and hit in the centre of the countersunk head. Basically you’re trying to push all the deformed metal back inside the head to create a bite point for the Allen key.
you might need to tap/hammer the Allen key back in, but that will give a good grip to remove.
failing that, it’s centre punch on the head to release or drilling out, but those need practice so you’d want a decent fitter doing them options

 

[Terry Rock]

Get a Snap-on REX108 and some valve grinding compound to help 'bite'. It will remove most 1/8 internal bore screws.

 

[stigs2cousin]

Or you could hammer a fitting Torx bit into the Hex Socket, a good quality bit should bite into the rounded screw and enable removing.
For me that would be plan A, cheapest and easiest since I have the Torx bit at hand.

Good Luck Carsten

 

[Lloyd Johnston]

Cheers for the ideas peeps

 

[d69morpwr]

Get a Snap-on REX108 and some valve grinding compound to help 'bite'. It will remove most 1/8 internal bore screws.

Great tip! Ive been using valve grinding compound on screws for years. I dont know how many tips ive broken off of snap on screw drivers using it. The screws either come out or you break the screwdriver normally.

 

[d69morpwr]

If none of the above work before you destroy the screw cut a slot in it with a dremel for a flat bladed screw driver. Like mentioned above use a little valve grinding compound on the tip and sometimes giving the screw driver a smack with a hammer while trying to turn it will usually do the job. The valve grinding compound can be used on any tool for more bite also. Not sure what kind of allens you are using but quality allen wrenchs or sockets make a HUGE difference. Cheap ones are soft,fit poorly and normally what causes the issues when trying to remove them. Many times ive done nothing more then switched to a good allen and had them come right out.

 

[Terry Rock]

https://shop.snapon.com/product/supplemental/10-pc-Multispline-Extractor-Set/REX10B
Those Snap-on REX bits are great to use.
It is especially true, if the internal bore is at least 3/32 to 1/8" deep...obviously deeper is better.
What I like about them, is they're tapered so no 'pounding' is required.
They also have a massive 'bite' area despite being shorter than most extractors due to the multiple contact points.
I've never broken one off despite extracting multiple screws in numerous aircraft over years of maintenance.
They're the only extractors in my toolbox.