Roof rack star bolts....

[rockymt21]

These things wont budge, anyone have any ideas or tips on how to loosen them up?

 

[Sepiroth]

Use a hammer and hit the torx bit on the torx screw.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

WD-40!!!:smilielol:


If it Doesn't move and it SHOULD!!!

 

[loulblades]

You might want to apply an impact wrench.

Whacking with a hammer may dent the body and I'm not sure how WD-40 will affect the paint job.

 

[Sepiroth]

A 1/4 impact will more than certianly strip either the bit or the screw. WD-40 will not damage paint.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

if they are truely stuck an impact will most likely just twist the teeth on your socket or tear up the screw head. leaving you to drill them out. (roll bar on a CJ5 i had for a few months ate 4-5 T45 bits)

the smack with a hammer does work, but like was already stated, don't dent the roof all up.

 

[sasquatch094]

just dont strip those things.. PBblaster works, or that freeze on sh*t.. just make sure you have it all the way in and turn slow.. you can use a breaker bar to help ya.. you have the hex's on a socket or allen key??

 

[loulblades]

IMHO a 3/8 impact wrench set on low (and lower air pressure if necessary) has less of a chance of stripping those bolts (threads and head) than applying a breaker bar. Also less of a chance of breaking the bolt itself if it is in there real bad.

The only way I could get the torx bolts out of the seat was to use an impact wrench but not before breaking 2 torx sockets by applying the breaker bar. Of course there is less meat on the roof and smaller screws.

 

[Sepiroth]

Your last paragraph answers why it really is not beneficial to use an impact.