Head Bolt Removal

[Dinky26]

SOHC 2.5 L 99 Forester.

Removing the head bolts.

 

Is it okay to just use a 12 point 14mm socket?

 

Tired to remove the 1st one, I have a feeling it is over torqued just like my cam sprockets. ????????

[ocei77]

That is what you have to use. The first two are generally a little tighter. Follow the sequence in the fsm, break each about 90 deg. then go back and finish unthreading them. Once the tension is broken and you make the first few turns, if you have an impact wrench it will make the unscrewing easier. They are loooong threads Do not use the impact to do any  type of final tightening. Just enough to seat or unthread.

If you've mistakenly completely unthreaded a few, just insert and torque to about 50 ft lbs, then break the others.

 

O.

[heartless]

they can be difficult to break free, but 1/2" drive breaker bar, possibly a bit of cheater pipe, and some oomph will break them loose

[idosubaru]

they are entirely beastly and make LOUD creaking noises when they break free.  be prepared for them to sound like something letting loose - it'll shock you the first time you hear it.

[Fairtax4me]

Breaker bar, and they will twist over 1/8 turn before the threads crack loose. There's an about inch more shank on the bolt than the thickness of the head, then about 2.5" of threaded beyond that. Id guess final torque on these head bolts to be somewhere around 120 - 150 ft lbs. They require quite a yank to crack them loose.

 

The bolt heads should be 12 point 14mm. Use a 1/2" drive socket and breaker bar. A short extension may be necessary. A long extension will twist and will require more pull in order to crack the bolt loose. What were you using?

Edited November 3, 2014 by Fairtax4me