Broken bolt- which tool
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 04:03
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82729
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Replies:
8
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Muntoo
Well i've done it.
I've snapped a bolt on the accelerator cable bracket. What i wanna know is which tool should i buy to remove it. The local auto one has Kincrome gear, but they only stock the Kwik Outs by memory, none of the old fashioned easy outs.
Anyone used these Kwik Outs?
Kwik Outs
Bolt had a 10mm head, and probably 6mm thread. Dont really wanna stuff it up. Im pretty good at that though. I did hear once about using a torx bit or something as an alternative. Anyone know anything about that one.
Cheers
Reply By: Begaboy - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 06:28
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 06:28
easy outs is the only easy way , provided you have room to put a drill in
another alternative , depending on how the bolt broke is to use a centre punch and off centre of the bolt try to hit from an angle and in direction of undoing the bolt - the sudden jolt / impact usually "shocks" the bolt loose - this is usually better done with larger size though - give the broken stud a good soak in a penetrating oil till you decide what your going to do
as for quick outs - first time i have ever seen then = and think there more for stripped head slots ( like phillips heads ) rather than broken bolts
AnswerID:
437105
Reply By: blue one - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:27
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:27
Drill a hole in it leaving a bit of steel to play with, knock a screw driver that fits into it. Away you go. Best tool for the job, Taught by an old fitter.
Easy outs are very delicate and snap pretty easily,
Cheers
AnswerID:
437112
Reply By: Territory29 - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:47
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:47
When drilling the hole in the broken bolt use a left hand drill bit as it won't tighten the bolt any further and when generating heat from drilling may loosen the bolt or may jam and unscrew the bolt.
Cheers
Greg
AnswerID:
437114
Follow Up By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:57
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:57
Forgot about these! Have used them many times, found they work more often than not, good thinking!
Cheers, Dave
FollowupID:
708553
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:49
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:49
Hi Muntoo. What metal was the bolt screwed into, aluminium or steel. Did it break undoing it or tightening it up. If undoing it probably means the thread is corroded, especially if aluminium. Make sure you drill a hole dead centre, that way if you cant get the old bit out then you can enlarge the hole till you can carefully run a tap down the old thread. If that doesn't work you can go slightly bigger and put a helicoil back to the original size.Always a fiddly p i a job I find. Bob
AnswerID:
437115
Follow Up By: Ruffy-Dan - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 11:55
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 11:55
This is where i was at! It depends on why the bolt broke in the first place.
Bolts are held tight in place due to the elasticity of the metal they are made of, so in theory once the head is removed they cannot be tight. So if it was broken doing it up it will remove easily unless it was cross threaded or the like.
If it broke while undoing it the the thread must have bound up due to corrosion or being previous cross threaed/over tightened. This could prove difficult to remove. If the bolt broke there is every chance an 'easyout' will not suffice and you'll probably have to drill it right out and re-tap.
I guess i'm warning you not to rush out and spend hard earned on something they may not help you. Kwik outs, easy outs etc are not magic tools. They will not remove a broken bolt unless it wants to be removed.
20 years as a mechanic has seen me removing more than one broken bolt!.. experience is excitingly helpful in these situations.
Dan
FollowupID:
708564
Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:54
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 08:54
G'day Muntoo
Never seen/heard of Kwik outs until now, however as 'an old fitter' I agree with the others.
Easy-outs are your best bet, if possible use a tap wrench to turn it,(rather than a shifter), that way you get even pressure on it, and minimize breakage risk. Don't drill any bigger than you have to, as you will find the easy out will expand the thread & make it tighter. As you said, and as mentioned above, a screwdriver driven into the drilled hole will work (again not too tight), or a torx key, allen key.... anything that is not round.
The main problem is the fact that it is a broken bolt... suggesting it was tight in the original thread, so finding that 'not too tight/ tight enough to drive it' fit is a juggling act. I guess as an old fitter, it comes with experience. Don't forget to give it a good soak in WD40 or similar.
Take your time, try not to make it worse.....
Good luck, Dave
AnswerID:
437116
Reply By: Roughasguts - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 10:12
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 10:12
I have had the pleasure of snapping bolts before and find it's a whole lot quicker and easier to get some steel strap and cut it to a suitable length.
Then drill a hole in the center of the steel strap the same size as the broken bolt! then weld the strap to the broken bolt thru the hole you just made. Twist left /Right and use lube, and the broken bolt comes out within a few twists and turns of the strap.
Without twisting left / Right the bolt will never come out easily.
Cheers.
AnswerID:
437129
Follow Up By: Allan B, Sunshine Coast, - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 13:43
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 13:43
If you do the above, wait until the bolt has fully cooled-down after welding before attempting to unscrew as the heated bolt will be expanded and tight in the thread.
FollowupID:
708568
Reply By: Member - mazcan - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 14:00
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 14:00
hi munto
no one has told you to look under the floor or panel and see it the broken off bolt is protruding if it is
put a set of vice grips on it and turn it all the way out
have done this many times but of course the thread needs to be showing on the underside hope this is in your favor
cheers
AnswerID:
437146
Reply By: Muntoo - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 15:29
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 15:29
Wow, thanks everyone.
Will definitely not be getting the kwik outs then.
Will try the screwdriver trick i think.
Thanks alot.
AnswerID:
437160
Follow Up By: Muntoo - Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 23:58
Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 23:58
Got it.
Soaked in WD40 and attacked it from bottom.
Came straight out, was not expecting that.
Cheers again everyone, i would of wasted $30 had it not been for you guys.
FollowupID:
708652