trek330

I stripped the head of the allen bolt that holds the jockey wheel on my rear derailleur.Any tricks to turn the thing?I have an extra bolt but how can I get the stripped one off?

dsbrantjr

First try using a new, non-ball end hex driver on the screw after applying something like PB Blaster to the screw threads. There might be enough meat left to get it moving. There might be an inch-sized driver which might fit tightly or be able to be driven in also. There is also a material called Drive Grip which can be applied to the fastener head which may give a better grip. There are also "easy out" tools which may be useful. If all of these fail I would reach for my Dremel tool with a thin disc blade and cut a slot for a straight screwdriver.

mechBgon

If the other pulley bolt will come out, remove the other bolt and turn the cage itself.

jolly_ross

+1 for easyouts, I've rescued a few stripped Allen heads with them in the past - also good for munged cleat screws.
(Although they are misnamed - they should be called extremelydifficultouts, but that probably wouldn't fit on the box).

I_like_cereal

Easyout +1

Kimmo

Pff, easyout - this:
You sometimes need a ball-end allen key to get at the upper one.

WickedThump

A little dab of JB weld and a disposable allen key.

trek330

I orderered some easyouts.Thanks for the advice.

speedy25

Be careful with easyouts. When they break off in a hole they are a real pain to get out. I would drill out the head and then remove the rest of the screw with pliers/vice grips after disassembly. Another neat trick I found over the years is get a couple of left handed 1/8" drill bits. When you have to drill out a bad fastener, sometimes the bit will catch and spin it out. If it doesnt you still have your hole for the easy out.

-SP

reptilezs

i have had great success with a tool called the "sock it out" they work awesome

ultraman6970

Be sure of going to the store and get a millimetric (metric) set of Allen tools this time

Myosmith

Clean the allen head and an allen wrench very well with acetone or mineral spirits and dry completely, then apply a drop or two of Super Glue Gel inside the allen bolt head and insert the allen wrench. Allow to sit for a few minutes as the gel sets slower than regular SG. Remove the stripped bolt and dip the end of the wrench with the bolt attached into acetone to get your wrench back.

mechBgon

...or just rotate the pulley cage to unscrew it from the stuck bolt. Just sayin'