# How to remove stripped torx bolt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 12, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577 "2023-05-12T21:51:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![919Blazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/34f0e0/32.png) [@919Blazer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/919Blazer)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/1 "2023-05-12T21:51:41Z")
I’m trying to remove my car door latch and it is held on by three T30 torx bolts. I got two of them out but the last one is stripped or something. When I put my torx bit on it and turn it, there is some space on the head (near edges) so it doesn’t really turn the bolt. It keeps falling out, if you know what I mean? Can I use something like JBweld metal epoxy and glue the torx bit to the torx bolt head, then unscrew it? or use a dremel? Never used a dremel before so not sure how it works. Or maybe use a drill and drill a hole in the middle and pull it out? or use a hammer to push in a T35 bolt so it fills up all the sides? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/2 "2023-05-12T21:58:18Z")
My stripped bolt head extractor set has got me out of more jams that I can count. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/b/abf9dc507bcc11e5e599bc07e783a716076321ed.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/3 "2023-05-12T22:05:21Z")
Drill into the screw head with a 1/4" drill bit, the head will come off the screw in about 60 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/4 "2023-05-12T22:08:09Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > the head will come off the screw in about 60 seconds. And leave the sheared off bolt in the hole. Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/5 "2023-05-12T22:23:15Z")
I think the JB Weld idea would work. Let it harden for a few days first. If waiting that long is too inconvenient, drilling the screw out, or removing the head and pushing the rest out, would work, but might damage the hole’s threads. New hole threads can be made of course. But I think what I’d do is file (or dremmel) flats on the outside head surface, then use a socket/wrench/pliers to try to twist it out. The rounded bolt-head removal tool is a good idea too. A set like that can be purchased for not much $$$ at Harbor Freight I think. If you are looking for a reason to do a chemistry experiment, JB Weld. If you are looking for a reason to purcahse another tool, socket set for rounded bolts. If you want to play dentist , Dremmel … lol … ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/6 "2023-05-12T22:28:57Z")
Is it a bolt or a screw? ![Capture](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/9/59fdfb1353533ee6e7f49152f4dd2e2959f1245b.jpeg) All the door latches I’ve worked on were held in with counter sunk screws. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/7 "2023-05-12T22:35:18Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Drill into the screw head with a 1/4" drill bit, the head will come off the screw in about 60 seconds If you use a left hand drill bit, the stub will likely come out, too. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/8 "2023-05-12T22:40:01Z")
If it is on the latch I suspect it is a round head or flat head screw, not knowing what latch means. If it is a round head, you might be able to pound one of those extractors like tester has to get a grip on it. If flat head or alternative, you can drill into the center and use an extractor. They have been known to break off though making further drilling pretty difficult. If round a dremil could cut a slot or make a couple flats to grab onto with a wrench. Might even try a chisel trying to turn it enough to loosen it. Most times we try one thing after another trying to find something that work. Final try is to weld a nut on top but if you can’t use a dremil doubt you have a welder handy. Edit: or try to get a left hand drill bit and start drilling it out. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/9 "2023-05-12T22:49:00Z")
Sounds like a big project, would anyone go through that much trouble to save a damaged bolt? After drilling the head from the bolt, the bolt can be removed using a locking jaw pliers, after the latch is removed from the door. However, a new latch comes with new holes. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/7/3777f929909ebae0e2e45fe71fe33f198c6a171f.png) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/10 "2023-05-12T22:50:00Z")
If a small screw , I’ve used a dremmel to make a deep slot on the head, then removed the screw with a blade-type screwdriver. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/11 "2023-05-12T22:54:05Z")
You could try an impact driver, just be careful not to damage the door… If I couldn’t get a bite on the bolt/screw, then I would use a left handed drill bit, the bit will most likely catch/grab the screw and turn it out… as stated above… ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/12 "2023-05-12T22:55:28Z")
Hard to do on a counter sunk screw without cutting the door… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/13 "2023-05-12T22:56:13Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > [why] would anyone go through that much trouble to save a damaged bolt? It depends where the threaded hole is located. If part of the car, OP would prefer to avoid damaging that hole. If threaded hole is part of the latch, then no worries about damaging the bolt. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/14 "2023-05-13T01:51:48Z")
I’m usually leery of Harbor Freight’s quality, but [this set](https://www.harborfreight.com/screw-extractor-and-left-hand-drill-bit-combo-set-10-piece-63987.html) did the trick for me on a tough broken bolt just a few days ago. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 2:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/15 "2023-05-13T02:06:03Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/a/1aa9a656267a4d07ff209363ef546afba66de2d1.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/16 "2023-05-13T02:43:37Z")
I was wondering where they’d have left hand drill bits. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/17 "2023-05-13T13:51:18Z")
I’d suggest posting a picture of the fastener head so people can give more specific advice. Once you experience breaking off, or worse yet, shattering an EZ-Out, you look at them in a different light from that point forward. 😬 ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/18 "2023-05-13T14:17:39Z")
Is there something in the bolt that keeps the torx bit from going down all the way? It’s hard to strip a torx bolt when the bit is pushed in properly and it is the right size. ---
**Author:** ![919Blazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/34f0e0/32.png) [@919Blazer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/919Blazer)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/19 "2023-05-13T17:04:14Z")
I forgot to add some pictures yesterday. I think it is a round head torx screw. I’m trying to change the door latch and this last torx screw is the only thing holding it in. I got the other 2 screws out. The problem is that when I put torx bit/socket on it and try to unscrew it by turning it, my torx bit/socket keeps falling out because there is some space near the edges of the torx head so my torx bit doesn’t fill up all the space. In other words, the torx screw head became too big for my T 30 torx bit/socket. I could use a T35 but I would have to use a hammer to push it in. I tried to put some epoxy putty to fill up the extra space but it didn’t work. I will try some of the methods in this thread. I am changing the door latch so don’t really care if I damage the latch. Just trying not to damage the door. top screw ![IMG_2818 (1)](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/9/095aade5df5411d8e5dfe4a45a3c05e05d1a1994.jpeg) ![IMG_2819 (1)](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/4/44ebdc90b2d949ffffd315ff0f343f5eb015f219.jpeg) ![IMG_2820](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/9/39c0da160da08ae70b37845a0665c116c018e589.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577/20 "2023-05-13T17:15:17Z")
Tap on one of the extractors in the kit I showed and the screw will come out. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/0/c037ace34a28e73fe260f838d2824a9b9f818def.jpeg "The Easiest Way to Remove a Broken Bolt or Rounded Bolt Head - Screw & Bolt Extractor Kits") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8FmI4SH8WM) Tester [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-remove-stripped-torx-bolt/190577.md?page=2)