Stuck/stripped inverter torx bolt

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pwyu1969, Jun 26, 2026 at 1:37 PM.

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  1. pwyu1969

    pwyu1969 Junior Member

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    I’m trying to take off my inverter cover to get to ABS actuator. The Torx bolt is frozen on. I put PB blaster on it. However, as I was trying to screw out, I started to round the inside of the Torx head. (1) any tricks to getting it out. (2) if I do round it out, what next? Vice grips on outside? Cut a slit and try big screw driver? Cut or drill it out?
     
    #1 pwyu1969, Jun 26, 2026 at 1:37 PM
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    You can try an "easy-out"; but if it's truly frozen in place - I doubt that's going to work either.

    I would find the largest drill bit that'll fit your drill and take the trox head off. Remove the inverter cover; then grab the remaining stud. You can use a stud wrench or vise-grip to remove it. You should be able to spray the bolt threads directly with PB blaster. Let it soak in a bit, before attempting removal.

    Removing the bolt head, takes the pressure off the bolt and cover. In most cases, I could usually spin the stud off by hand, if it isn't frozen/rusted in place.

    Good Luck.......
     
    #2 BiomedO1, Jun 26, 2026 at 1:49 PM
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2026 at 1:54 PM
  3. pwyu1969

    pwyu1969 Junior Member

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    Thanks for quick reply. I was able to get bit vice grips on and turn to get started and then out. Thankfully didn’t have to resort to drilling it out, but hearing worst case scenario helped me ‘try vice grips’ first. Almost felt like I was breaking the head off, but it turned out. Phew.
     
    #3 pwyu1969, Jun 26, 2026 at 2:03 PM
    frodoz737 likes this.
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I just used my 10-in curved jaw channel lok pliers
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Jun 26, 2026 at 2:32 PM
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