Anyone strip the Torx on your steering wheel bolt?

Dthissen · February 15, 2022

Started to change my 2022 LTD Custom Trail Boss’ steering wheel out for one with the right side buttons. Tried to loosen the bolt on the steering wheel with my ratchet but no go. So I’ve read others had to use an impact. Broke out my Dewalt impact and as soon as I put some on it the torx let loose. Now not sure exactly what to do. I can drill it but these things must have some serious lock tight. Anyone else have this issue, if so what did you do about it?

JimCost2014 · February 15, 2022

1 hour ago, Dthissen said:

Started to change my 2022 LTD Custom Trail Boss’ steering wheel out for one with the right side buttons. Tried to loosen the bolt on the steering wheel with my ratchet but no go. So I’ve read others had to use an impact. Broke out my Dewalt impact and as soon as I put some on it the torx let loose. Now not sure exactly what to do. I can drill it but these things must have some serious lock tight. Anyone else have this issue, if so what did you do about it?

Welcome to the site.

Can you post a picture? It will help all to see what you are describing, and easier to come up with a solution.

Dthissen · February 15, 2022

10 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Welcome to the site.

Can you post a picture? It will help all to see what you are describing, and easier to come up with a solution.

I’ve put it back together for the night. The bolt is still installed so I feel safe to drive it to work tomorrow. I’ve ordered a larger T-55 bit (actually 2 of them) and a new extractor set to be delivered tomorrow. I’ll try to hammer the larger bit into the stripped out hole. Hopefully that will work. I’ll take a picture tomorrow.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Dthissen

GETGONE · February 16, 2022

Heat it with a heat gun for a minute or two to melt the blue lock tite. I read that suggestion on here before swapping mine for a leather wrapped one. I tried it cold first just to see if it would pop loose. It wasn't budging even trying to tighten it slightly. Hit with the heat gun and it came loose easily.

Dthissen · February 16, 2022

51 minutes ago, GETGONE said:

Heat it with a heat gun for a minute or two to melt the blue lock tite. I read that suggestion on here before swapping mine for a leather wrapped one. I tried it cold first just to see if it would pop loose. It wasn't budging even trying to tighten it slightly. Hit with the heat gun and it came loose easily.

I’ll give heat a try, but the torx is completely gone, sheared like it wasn’t even there. Like I said earlier I bought a larger torx so I’ll have to knock that in first. Do you think a hair dryer will work? I don’t have a real heat gun, I do have a small propane torch.

Anacortes Army Guy · February 16, 2022

7 hours ago, Dthissen said:

I’ll give heat a try, but the torx is completely gone, sheared like it wasn’t even there. Like I said earlier I bought a larger torx so I’ll have to knock that in first. Do you think a hair dryer will work? I don’t have a real heat gun, I do have a small propane torch.

Check out this thread:

Mac-427 · February 17, 2022

A heat gun might help but are you sure it was the bolt that stripped or the Torx bit? A 45 looks like it fits but it's too small. I ruined one. Using a 55 mm worked perfectly with an impact wrench. Rather than loosening the bolt with a full on trigger pull, I "bumped" it with the impact until it loosened.

Dthissen · February 17, 2022

Thanks to all who commented. I got it squared away today and performed the install. I bought a T55 torx bit and a pencil torch. Pounded the T55 into the stripped hole as far as I could. Used the torch to heat it up some, knocked the bit back in and it moved a bit. Repeated the process until I got maybe a full turn. One more heat cycle and then soft fingered my impact gun and it came out. Bought 2 new bolts, one from Amazon and got one from the dealer in case. All’s good now except for a bit of rubbing on the clock spring trim. Will pull the trim off this weekend to see if it wasn’t pushed all the way on.

Dthissen · February 17, 2022

Oh I guess there’s one more thing. Does anyone know if the phone controls should work?

GETGONE · February 18, 2022

If you didn't have them before, they won't work without a cluster upgrade. There's a thread on here about the cluster upgrade and an additional wire needed through White Automotive.

Dthissen · February 18, 2022

2 hours ago, GETGONE said:

If you didn't have them before, they won't work without a cluster upgrade. There's a thread on here about the cluster upgrade and an additional wire needed through White Automotive.

I bought the cluster, wire and new steering wheel. All the other new right side buttons work, but not the one for voice command (looks like guy talking). The phone hang up button I need to try tomorrow morning.

Dthissen · February 19, 2022

Looks like the voice control button only works with Apple Car Play.

Mac-427 · February 21, 2022

My phone controls work fine with wired Car Play. I can make calls using using the steering wheel buttons and Seri and hang them up with the buttons as well. I'd rather use a wired Car Play connection than mess with Blue Tooth because the wired connection is more dependable.

Edited February 21, 2022 by Mac-427

Dthissen · February 21, 2022

5 hours ago, Mac-427 said:

My phone controls work fine with wired Car Play. I can make calls using using the steering wheel buttons and Seri and hang them up with the buttons as well. I'd rather use a wired Car Play connection than mess with Blue Tooth because the wired connection is more dependable.

I generally only use Car Play when I need navigation, so I was hoping the voice control button would dial my phone when only connected to the phone Bluetooth. Apparently not so it is what it is.