Stripped Oil Drain Bolt

[jorton]

Rounded off head. Bought a 5 pc set of special sockets for $25 @ Autozone. Did not notice the 15mm was used until I got home. Called the phone on the receipt. Store manager said I could return the set. I asked him if I could use the 13mm and then return the set. He said no, "You use it, you keep it." I replied "Why? Someone else used it and returned it and you put it back on the shelf. I'm sorry. OK, I'll bring it back now for a refund but I live near Elmendorf so it'll take me about 25 minutes to get to the store. Oh. Go ahead and use the 13 and then bring it back and I'll help you out. I was offended at that comment but everything worked out in the end. Stores shouldn't put expensive used tools back on the shelf. It took four attempts with the special tool, removing more material each time, but it did work. And the store manager did give me my money back.

 

[tomcat27]

don't be offended by the comment. and.. it's amazing what people return: used wiper blades, a contractor friend found a used toilet in one of the new toilet boxes he had bought for a job.

 

[JHZR2]

Id be offended by the comment that he is "helping you out", as if he is doing you a favor by using a junk chinese tool from his overpriced store, filled with knownothings. Its plain poor QC and care for a job to let something like this happen. I can see how it might be overlooked if the rest of the kit was well repacked and any blemishes well-hidden. But still, the only favor that is occurring is you not calling AZ corporate and griping about how store #xyz is putting used stuff on the shelves.

 

[Highline9]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27

don't be offended by the comment. and.. it's amazing what people return: used wiper blades, a contractor friend found a used toilet in one of the new toilet boxes he had bought for a job.

Barf

 

[Donald]

Get a Craftsman set and keep it. It will come in handy from time to time. Did you use a 6 PT socket to start?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Old mechanic wisdom: In Emergencies Remember 1/2" = a tight 13mm and a 14MM is a tight 9/16". What kinda special spockets are they? I needed a special size for a trans fill plug and went to AZ - then walked out. 6 bucks for 1 cheap china socket. BAhhh! (RANT: I HATE how we 10X overprice IMPORTED junk to pay people salaries. This the NUMBER ONE problem in the U.S of A today.

 

[iluvhonda]

OP you should buy a new drain bolt for future.

 

[jorton]

Now I can't find my receipt. The special socket has sharp twist cut cutting edges for gripping, removing rounded or rusted or painted bolts. I rounded off the bolt head because I used a cheap combination wrench that has a very shallow box end. Gave it to my 4yo son.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The new Subaru drain bolt is made of pot metal in china - I ruined it using my trusty flare nut wrench (6 point). NEVER had that happen before in 40 years of 1000's of oil changes on 1000's of cars. I have photos posted on the subaruforester.org forum. Subaru was a 17mm head then they went to a 14mm head on a LARGE bolt - then made the whole thing out of junk. I just heard the redesigned the DP bolt. This is the new DOHC CHAIN TIMING FB 2.5 engine.