have a 95 xj 4-0 5speed . trying to replace the clutch and found the top two e12 bolts half ground down...p.o. must have tried to remove tranny at one time.. can not get my cutoff tool in there without hit bellhousing....any suggestions???? thanks

 

cut a hole in the floor with a hole saw so you can get straight at them and wen your done put rubber or plastic plugs in the holes for future service work i suggest 2 inch hole so if you have to you can weld a nut to them and use a reg socket

 

vice grips set them tight!

 

go to sears and pick up


Lisle 19250 Stripped, Nut & Stud Remover Set Ranges 1/4-9/16"

 

air chisle to turn the bolt. Do it at work all the time.

 

Get the rubber plugs first, trace them on your floor with a sharpie marker. When you cut the hole, cut it slightly smaller than you need for the plug. You can always grind it down. This is the most important part. Once you cut away too much, you're screwed. Also, trying to get plugs for whatever sized hole doesn't work. If you go to a boating store or shop, they have some good ones that expand when you flip a lever. Buy two or three of the same size (whatever one you choose) and store them, so you can replace them if they rot out in the future. You might also want to have a vial of tough up paint to hit the hole edges from the top and bottom so it doesn't progressively rust more and more getting too weak for a plug.

 

air chisle.......

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. The floor cutting idea was high on my list, i tried the removal tool no luck....I went and borrowed a plasma cutter from a friend and 10 minutes later bolt heads gone..Trans out. Plasma cutter going on my B-Day list for the wifey.... Sending flywheel out today to have machined...thanks again.