Tiller Extension Bolt Removal

[wev162]

I'm in the process of replacing the broken tiller handle on my '76 Sunfish and can't figure out how to get the the tiller extension bolt out to reuse the extension on my new handle. I can't unscrew the nut because the bolt head is rounded like a carriage bolt and is free wheeling in the recessed hole. I've tried torquing the tiller pieces at an angle to grab the bolt and also tried using a screw driver to wedge the bolt in the hole but I can't get any grip on the rounded head of the bolt.

Any advice on how to non-destructively remove the tiller extension?

Thanks!

 

[ylojelo]

hacksaw or dremel.

 

[wev162]

hacksaw or dremel.

Thanks but that was my first thought. I'm trying to find a non-destructive way to remove it, it'd be nice to reuse the hardware. Any other ideas short of cutting it off?

 

[Webfoot]

Grind a slot in top of the Carrage Bolt and use a screwdriver.

 

[japes2288]

grip the nut with a pair of needle nose pliers and use your thumb to keep the bolt from spinning in place- worked for me

 

[wev162]

Thanks for the suggestions!

It turned out the special wire locking nut they had used had deformed and bitten into the threads of the bolt which obviously prevented it from turning so I ended up having to cut the nut off with a dremel tool.