Removing mounting bolts.

[AndyRM]

I am faced with a rather irritating problem.

When attempting to remove the mounting bolts for cages on the carbon fibre frame I recently bought, I have discovered they are made of cheese and have rounded off.

They are both stuck on the seat tube - any thoughts?

Annoyingly, I have managed to get one out of the down tube, and can spin the other but it just spins without coming out. Argh!

Any thoughts on a home based solution (I was considering drilling them, but not sure what I'd achieve) would be great; or is this a take it to the shop and let them worry about it sort of job?

 

[Tim Hall]

For the rounded off ones you could try filing flats on then then gripping with pliers or a spanner. Or cutting a slot and using a screwdriver. Or gently hammering in an oversize torx driver. The spinning one sounds like the nut has come unstuck from the tube. You might be able to restick it with a dribble of superglue. Then remove the bolt and effect a more permanent repair.

 

[AndyRM]

Thanks @Tim Hall. I hadn't thought of that for the rounded ones.

Where should I be gluing for the spinning one?

 

[Tim Hall]

The glue needs to go between the nut and the frame not the bolt and the nut. The bolt will be right in the way though.

 

[AndyRM]

That's what I sort of thought. Bugger!