Stuck hub bolts (star head) - suggestions?
 

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Working on my front brakes, I see the CV joint boots are torn completely through on both L and R half-shafts. Want to replace both half-shafts. Stuck on removing the heavily-rusted star-bolts from the hub. Steel brushed both sides, then liquid wrench applied to both sides overnight. Started with a 13mm 12-point and breaker bar: looks like I might have partially stripped the head. Moved on to a 1/2 in spline-socket... seems too loose a fit... afraid to apply too much force to strip it further. Would a 1/2 in 12-point be better or worse than the spline socket (I don't have one handy)? Is one type/brand of socket truly best for this application? Breaker bar or impact wrench better to prevent further stripping? Should I try to tighten first? Any other tips? I really don't want to remove the entire knuckle if I don't have to (or, would this be easier?).

Thanks,
JohnEP

12 point 1/2" socket, or the 12 point side of a 1/2" wrench

Did not have one handy to try... maybe this would have worked on my partially-stripped star bolt, maybe not.

Buddy came over with a bolt-extractor socket set, confident he could get my partially-stripped bolt out. Planning to toast the bolt head anyways, I instead gave it a full go with the 1/2 inch spline socket on the breaker bar, back and forth, easing harder and harder each way. Tons of play between tightening and loosening made me sure I was stripping the bolt head more and more, but no... those 90 degree spline teeth really dig in, pulling the edges of the bolt head out radially, rather than rounding them off.

Got the bolt loose with the 1/2 inch spline socket, without needing the extractor socket. I am now a true believer in spline sockets.

Thanks,
JohnEP

With all the above and if it is still stuck try a little heat on the hub side of the bolt.

I have taken an old 13mm or 1/2" socket, whatever fits best and used the mig welder and tacked it on the bolt. Then it have come off easy. then cut welds and use the socket on next bolt with the mig.
Have cut the time from undoing the bolts from hours to minutes.
Then replace with new bolts.