Stripped bolt head in roof rails - help

[Richm]

After discovering a leak I’ve been trying to remove the roof rails today and found that one of the bolt heads rusted and stripped.

I can’t get pliers in to grab it and I don’t really want to be hammering down on it in case I damage the van.

Any suggestions on how to remove it?

 

[T6ARF]

Is it loose or fixed in place? If it’s loose a pair of long nose pliers.... if it’s fixed you might have to drill it out?

 

[Richm]

Is it loose or fixed in place? If it’s loose a pair of long nose pliers.... if it’s fixed you might have to drill it out?

It’s fixed.
if I need to drill it out, that will be tomorrow’s job. After watching plenty of you tube videos!

 

[Paynewright]

They are clipped into a spring steel bracket that you can see with the headlining removed…

Maybe possible to remove it from the inside depending on the length sheared off.

 

[colinsunbeam]

Drill and easy out tool. Would put some penetrating oil on it first.

 

[Long tall John]

Would you be able to stop the penetrating oil dripping into the van?… don’t use too much!

And good luck!

 

[JOG]

That it is rusty shows that there was a water ingress issue anyway? Looks like you’ll get to sort that too

 

[JOG]

That it is rusty shows that there was a water ingress issue anyway? Looks like you’ll get to sort that too

May I step forward to collect my “Idiot” award? I completely overlooked that @Richm went at it because of a leak! D’oh!!!

 

[T6ARF]

What a ridiculous design anyway, that allows water ingress into the interior of the van! What were VW thinking that day!?

 

[Howzat]

May I step forward to collect my “Idiot” award?

 

[JOG]

View attachment 116918

That works! Thanks! Could you see the second one into my coat pocket, just to be doubly sure

 

[Howzat]

They go around your neck mate. Like that key you've got.

 

[JOG]

They go around your neck mate. Like that key you've got.

Nope! My key is sewn into my pocket too on a very long string! I also lick the windows on the sunshine bus

 

[Skyliner33]

Nope! My key is sewn into my pocket too on a very long string! I also lick the windows on the sunshine bus

I bet you also have a long piece of string on your gloves that goes up your sleeves and over shoulders

 

[JOG]

I bet you also have a long piece of string on your gloves that goes up your sleeves and over shoulders

Yep! Doesn’t everyone?!! But, I bet you don’t have an “R” and an “L” on your wellies like I have!!!

 

[Paynewright]

Yep! Doesn’t everyone?!! But, I bet you don’t have an “R” and an “L” on your wellies like I have!!!

I have those letters on my string backed driving gloves - helps with navigation

 

[JOG]

I have those letters on my string backed driving gloves - helps with navigation

Wow! Someone is good at macrame!!!

 

[Paynewright]

Gosh thats a big word for a Saturday morning - I had to look it up!

 

[Skyliner33]

Yep! Doesn’t everyone?!! But, I bet you don’t have an “R” and an “L” on your wellies like I have!!!

No but I do on my socks

 

[JOG]

No but I do on my socks

View attachment 116976

Remind me - are they on the right way?