Somebody kill me now?

**Chris Meyer** · 26-10-2016,07:19 AM

Changing out the heater core. Got everything ready to pull the dash. Except the 2 hex/allan screw/bolts in back of steering wheel (airbag equipped) are effing hell tight and are both stripped...I'm guessing someone else previously attempted this job, clue being the mould growing under the floor mat on the driver's side, and the heater hoses are bypassed in the engine bay.
I'm at my wit's end trying to get these hex key bolt/screws whatever the f they are off... There's no clearance inside the wheel to put anything like a hacksaw inside to cut a groove in them and use a flat head screwdriver to get them off.
Any ideas, tips or tricks?
Cheers

1994 Audi 80 V6 2.6E

**swalker** · 26-10-2016,01:45 PM

hammer in a slightly bigger torx bit? remove lower coloum and pull upper to clear steering wheel( not sure if this is possible, thinking of my ur set-up)?

**Chris Meyer** · 26-10-2016,10:27 PM

Tried hammering in a slightly larger one when I was still trying to do this. Not enough clearance to get a decent swing of the hammer. And can't take the lower cowl off until after the wheel is off 😧
Bought some thin saw blades last night. Gonna try slotting a groove in them and use a flat head screwdriver. Going to be completely screwed (pun intended) if I can't get them out. Can't get a drill in there either

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**tornadored7** · 26-10-2016,10:46 PM

Not sure about your working area/clearance is, but might it be possible to use a SHARP punch to to continue tapping the head of the bolt/screw to effect an anticlockwise loosening motion ?

**Chris Meyer** · 26-10-2016,11:01 PM

I'll try it. Man, I'm up for just about ANYTHING to get this done!

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**JMR1** · 27-10-2016,12:02 AM

Do you have a right-angle attachment for an ordinary electric drill? You can get "easy out" drill bits which thread themselves into the screw, but in an anti-clockwise direction. The more they enter the head of the screw, the tighter they get. Worth a try anyway, I have used them in the past successfully.
Good Luck !!!!!

**Chris Meyer** · 27-10-2016,12:06 AM

Originally Posted by JMR1

Do you have a right-angle attachment for an ordinary electric drill? You can get "easy out" drill bits which thread themselves into the screw, but in an anti-clockwise direction. The more they enter the head of the screw, the tighter they get. Worth a try anyway, I have used them in the past successfully.
Good Luck !!!!!

Good idea! Honestly, didn't know you could get right angled drill bits! I'll go to the hardware store after and see what I can find 😉
Thanks

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**wildbeeste** · 27-10-2016,09:12 AM

Years ago I acquired a flexible drill/screw attachment. It allows you to drill/screw at various angles not just right angles. I have never used it but it may help with the reverse drilling and access.

**Chris Meyer** · 27-10-2016,11:40 AM

Originally Posted by wildbeeste

Years ago I acquired a flexible drill/screw attachment. It allows you to drill/screw at various angles not just right angles. I have never used it but it may help with the reverse drilling and access.

Haven't been able to find anything like that around here, but there's a few things like it on eBay, as well as the 'easy out' bits. Bit strapped for cash atm, so I'm going to try some epoxy on a couple of old bolts that I had laying around. Tack them onto the offending bolts and hopefully (!!!) get the little buggers out! 🤔
Bet ya that won't work either! 😓

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