Bicycle Mechanics - stripped seatpost clamp bolt, help!

i was wondering if any of you have ever experienced a seat post clamp bolt (allen head) stripping to the point where you can't remove it. i need to get the post out of my frame, but can't because i can't loosen the bolt. i have a new clamp to replace this one, so trashing the clamp isn't a big deal. i thought of cutting the bolt in half with a dremal tool or hacksaw (there is enough room to get in there to cut it without damaging the frame or post), which seems like it would release the clamp allowing me to remove it. do any of you have a better idea on how to do this? any help would be greatly appreciated.

i was wondering if any of you have ever experienced a seat post clamp bolt (allen head) stripping to the point where you can't remove it. ...

Are the threads stripped or the Allen head socket messed up?

sorry, shouldve clarified, the allen head socket is stripped. the threads and all are fine, just useless since i can't get a wrench to take the bolt out. so yeah, the head socket itself is messed up.

Drill out the allen bolt head using a 5.5mm or 6.5mm drill bit (depending on whether you used a 5mm or 6mm hex key on it initially. You will be surpirsed how easily it will drill out. That will be a lot easier than trying to cut the bolt.

sorry, shouldve clarified, the allen head socket is stripped. the threads and all are fine, just useless since i can't get a wrench to take the bolt out. so yeah, the head socket itself is messed up.

You can use a "screw extractor" to remove it. They're sometimes referred to by their trade name "E-Z Out". To use one, you'll need to drill a small pilot hole, then insert the extractor and turn. The extractor looks like a pointed twisted cone, but you operate it by turning it counterclockwise. As it's turned, the cone embeds itself deeper and soon, you'll be turning the screw.

Sears makes an extractor that doesn't require a pilot hole. You just sort of jam this bit into the messed up head and turn it counterclockwise.

Of course, both these methods will mess up the head and you'll need a new bolt.

Perhaps can you jam something into the head, like a screwdriver and use a wrench to grasp the screwdriver shaft and turn?

thanks for the info, both of these methods seem like they would work. i just don't want to mess up anything other than the clamp and bolt. thanks again.

While I would reccomend the extractors, if you have access to a Dremel Moto tool, the cutoff wheel fits nicely between the clamp faces to get the bolt. This is the fastest method out of the choices, but you do have to have a steady enough hand to not let it skip.

sorry, shouldve clarified, the allen head socket is stripped. the threads and all are fine, just useless since i can't get a wrench to take the bolt out. so yeah, the head socket itself is messed up.

Before you do anything invasive, try a brand new allen wrench. That'll work more often than you'd think. Throw your old allen wrench away because it's worn out and will continue to round out more bolts every time that you use it.

Yep...bust out that drill and grind the sucker down :D. A great way to relieve stress.

I had the same problem. I filed down two flat spots on tboth heads. Visegiped both ends and voila!

Just use the dremel tool or hacksaw and cut it off

thanks for all the advice, i appreciate it. its a brand new frame, spicer track, and i really DONT want to mess anything up. thanks again.