# Bolt head rounded off

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 4, 2008, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325 "2008-10-04T12:21:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jc7754](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@jc7754](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jc7754)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325/1 "2008-10-04T12:21:23Z")

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I have rounded off the bolt head (14 mm)for my oil drain plug and cannot get it out. Any suggestions on how to proceed from here would be appreciated.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325/2 "2008-10-04T12:25:00Z")

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Use a pipe wrench. The teeth will dig into the metal, and grip it off. Then, replace the bolt. Most auto parts stores have replacement drain plugs, and all you have to do is match the threads correctly. The parts counter should be able to look it up for you.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325/3 "2008-10-04T12:26:27Z")

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I’d try a large vice grip.

Then buy a new drain plug at a parts store.

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**Author:** ![jc7754](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@jc7754](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jc7754)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 12:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325/4 "2008-10-04T12:43:04Z")

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Thanks…I’ll give it a shot.

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bolt-head-rounded-off/20325/5 "2008-10-04T18:43:39Z")

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Was your first attempt made with a twelve-point tool?Pound a six-point socket on the plug