Allen key stuck in swing arm axle
An Allen key can become completely jammed inside a vehicle's swing arm axle so that standard extraction methods like hammers, levers, and high-torque impact tools fail to free it. Because the bolt head is often inaccessible, the key cannot simply be cut off, leaving the axle wedged and preventing further disassembly.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1tapping with a hammer2 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2soaking with penetrating lubeDid this help you?
- 3cutting the part offDid this help you?
- 4Using penetrating oil and letting it sit overnightDid this help you?
- 5Applying high heat with an acetylene and oxygen torch or map gasDid this help you?
- 6Putting the other bolts back in, snugging them up, and breaking the stubborn one looseDid this help you?
- 7Using a mixture of transmission fluid and acetoneDid this help you?
- 8Cutting the bolt off with a grinderDid this help you?
- 9Drilling the bolt outDid this help you?
- 10Spraying with WD-40Did this help you?
- 11Prying on itDid this help you?
- 12Yanking with giant channel locksDid this help you?
- 13Trying to rotate or twist it to break free from carbon buildupDid this help you?
- 14Cutting the shaft on the ball to remove the bonnet capDid this help you?
- 15Grinding the bolt down furtherDid this help you?
- 16Using a punch and hammer to knock it outDid this help you?
- 17Using an impact gun on the nut side to snap itDid this help you?
- 18Drilling out the boltDid this help you?
- 19Using a torch and wax to apply heatDid this help you?
- 20Cutting behind the adapter and using a Fernco or shielded band clamp to repipeDid this help you?
- 21Pushing a tiny tab on the side while sliding the guard sideways instead of pulling it up.Did this help you?
- 22tapping or prying on the underside of the puller like a slide hammerDid this help you?
- 23checking for a hidden set screw under the handle using an Allen wrenchDid this help you?
- 24Trying to drill it outDid this help you?
- 25Attempting to remove the engine mount instead of the driveshaftDid this help you?
- 26Changing the rubber bushing in placeDid this help you?
- 27Using a small screwdriver through a back hole to push it outDid this help you?
- 28Using a nail cutter for vice gripDid this help you?
- 29using an adjustable spannerDid this help you?
- 30using another jack to raise the control arm and relieve suspension tensionDid this help you?
- 31Hitting the extractor on one side and then the other with a hammer to walk it offDid this help you?
- 32Using a socket smaller than you think should fit and hitting it with a sledge to seat itDid this help you?
- 33Removing the rest of the lug nut and wiggling the tireDid this help you?
- 34Using channel locks to hold the piece tight while spinning the pipe belowDid this help you?
- 35Removing the top hat at the in-sink connection instead of the nut itselfDid this help you?
- 36Removing the screws on the surrounding plate to free the clamping actionDid this help you?
- 37Pulling very hard while bending the tools outwards and away from the radioDid this help you?
- 38Using a hammer and punch on the ends of the prongsDid this help you?
- 39Making custom tools out of a coat hanger to avoid the tangs getting caughtDid this help you?
- 40Cutting the tools off entirelyDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Attempting to remove this stripped and swollen lug nut. Used lug nut extractor, however both are now stuck together. The extractor is stuck to the lug nut, but both of them are now just freely spinning without being able to actually remove them from the wheel.”source ↗
“I can wiggle it back and forth and spin either direction, but can’t actually remove them.”source ↗
“Tried with a regular flat hammer and rubber hammer in every way possible. I ended up moving the axle deeper toward the key and probably made it worst.... I dont even understand where it's stuck really.”source ↗
“I need to remove the drive shaft in order to replace the clutch. I tried removing driveshaft without removing lower engine mount, but its rusted in the good”source ↗
“Did not measure size. Pls help”source ↗
“I have no idea how it got stuck, I was trying to remove the axle with what I have, and it ended up completely stuck. I did everything I could, pushing the other way, creating a lever, etc nothing made it move.”source ↗
“Ive tried a long breaker bar, lots of heat, pounding the bolt head, and my 550 ft lb Milwaukee impact which usually bails me out. No luck. Cant access the bolt head to cut it off.”source ↗
“Any advice to get this out? I’ve sprayed it with WD40, been prying on it, tapping it with a hammer, and yanking on it with a giant channel locks but nothing has worked.”source ↗
“I hated that style. I made new tools from a coat hanger because the little tangs would always get stuck.”source ↗
“Noob here, Best way to remove sway bar link cut off bolt? It has a mushroom tip on the cut side won’t just slide through other side.”source ↗
“So I’ve got this small bolt shaped piece of hardened steel in a little 10mm wide shaft. There’s a burr on the shaft that the head is stuck on. It has to come out from the size where I took the picture, and there is no way to tap it from the back side. I’ve been trying to drill it out forever but I’m honestly stuck at this point 😭😂”source ↗
“I needed these prongs/tools to remove it and now i’ve gotten them stuck and no matter which way i angle them they are stuck and won’t budge.”source ↗
“How do I take the gaurd off?? Please help i cant work it out and google is not helping.”source ↗
“oh i had the exact same problem with mine! the guard slides off sideways, not pulling up like you'd think. there's a tiny tab on the side you push while sliding it, took me like 20 minutes of frustration before i figured it out”source ↗
“I’m replacing this p trap and trap adapter but it is on there tight.”source ↗
“Before I go full hulk, I just want to make sure there is not some pipe with the trap adapter that is part of the pipe.”source ↗
“It's a pain in the ass design, to be sure”source ↗
“I’m a basic DIYer trying to fix a leaking tub/shower faucet.”source ↗
“I removed the handle, but the Phillips screw holding the handle/adapter is completely stuck.”source ↗
“Seems too tight to mess with.”source ↗
“The end of my handle puller is shorter than the screw that holds the handle to the base, so the puller is just tightening onto the handle base and not pulling - any tips?”source ↗
“I tried getting it off for a long time but couldn’t. I was using an adjustable spanner, I’m thinking it had bad grip and not enough leverage. Anyone know of any tools which are good to get this off?”source ↗