Ok....so I was taking off the steering wheel to put in my new cruise control switch...and the one bolt/screw on the right side was stripped.

 

I tried differnt bits...pounding stuff...etc...just made it worse.

 

 

Its on a 96 OBW. Anyone know a way to get it out? A drill? Should I take it to a mechanic or something?

I think I'd start by applying some penetration oil (or spray) towards the bottom side of the head of the screw and wait for an hour and then maybe try to fit a metric allen wrench. In the past I've used a six sided star screw driver..(sorry can't think of the name of the silly thing) and it worked in the stripped out hole of the screw head. Good luck, boing

Drill the head off and you'll get it out easily. Get a bit that's a little smaller than the head of the screw/bolt. Drill untill the head pops off or disinegrates. Should be easy to get out then.

 

Good luck and go slow

hrrm...I should drill a small hole...thread a screw in so that when it goes in all the way it will be making the bolt go left to loosen it out...think that would work?

what holds the bolt/screw in tight is the fact that the head is seated firmly to the surface you are bolting into. Cut the head off and all the tension is released. As long as teh threads are not rusted it will turn freely and come right on out.

but how would I go about getting the screw in part of the bolt out after I drill the head off?

I'm afraid the bolt in question is one of the two holding the airbag. It's not an Allen but Torx T30. Try to avoid drilling, or use a drill stop if you do. Maybe one of those tapered left-threaded extractors can help. That bolt shouldn't be very tight.

I thought it was a T30, too...but the one allen wrench worked right on the other side. I'll get it out eventully.

By the way this is no comfort now but you can get the cruise switch out without dismantling anything else. Just a thin screwdriver above or below the switch will bring it out (I can't remember above or below!)

 

Gil