Ruddy swivel stuck!!

One of the bolts holding the swivel ball joint has started to round off and I cannot remove with metric or old skool spanner
Also had issues with 3 of the 8mm bolts holding the oil seal retaining plate so resorted to grinding through the plate and seal and removing the hub.
So, am now left with just the swivel ball attached to the axle with one bolt.
The only options I can think of are:
1) Grind off the bolt and then refit with new seals, gasket, plate resulting in the swivel having a bolt missing - would this be safe?? Personally I'm not so sure
2) Leave swivel attached and cut new retaining plate and large oil seal in order for them to fit. Even though I'm replacing oil with one shot am still dubious about cutting the seal. Also will be knackered when the ball joint starts to rust just as the n/side did.

Any suggestions?????
Tar larr

Ps I don't want to buy a new axle!

grind off the head, remove the swivel then try a stud extractor / mole grips on the remains of the bolt. if that fails, drill it out and re-tap.

Thanks, looks like I need to invest in a tap n' die set

single hex socket or spanner

fanatic said:

single hex socket or spanner

Click to expand...

Its a torx head so can't imagine a hex would fit?

didn't catch that part, in which case a large chisel and 4 lb lump hammer is weapon of choice with stubborn torx

can you not turn the swivel to turn the bolt at the same time? put a slight angle on the swivel and pull towards you as you turn, an once the seal breaks it might turn with the spanner, it worked for the bottom pin, might work for the bolts too

Grind head off,remove ball then weld a nut over what's left of the bolt.

Cheers folks am liking the suggestions! Will give them all a go tomorrow
Have thought about the welding route before but not sure whether you'd get a strong enough weld or the nut would just snap back off - have a similar prob with my n/side rear seatbelt mount, have grinded the head off the bolt which now needs removing before I weld the new floor in!

Get yourself a set of these, never failed me yet.
You'll probably need them again and again and.....


Irwin 7pce Screw & Bolt Extractor Set - Machine Mart

nicedayforit said:

Get yourself a set of these, never failed me yet.
You'll probably need them again and again and.....


Irwin 7pce Screw & Bolt Extractor Set - Machine Mart

Click to expand...

I bought the socket version of these earlier in the year which managed to remove a rounded off rocker bolt and seatbelt harness bolt fantastic 'int they!
Not too hopefull they will work on the swivel bolt as I haved had to crack all the others with a breaker, but you never know...

Grinded the bolt head off, removed swivel and welded on a nut. Came off a treat