Broke a bolt...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Broke a bolt...
In the next few weeks I'll get my truck insured and get it back on the road and to a friends garage to work on it. Gonna install taller coil springs up front along with drop radius arm brackets and new bushings. My only problem so far is the four bolts at the axle that hold the radius arms to the axle, where the c-bushings are placed. A big problem is that I just broke one, and I believe the other one right next to it as well. What do I do?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,005
Likes: 2
Is there enough sticking out of the radius arm to get a pair of vise grips on it? if you think you may of broke the other one, then attempt to get it out, if it is broke or nearly broke,better to find out now rather than going down the highway....
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Yea the head of the other bolt started twisting so it's probably done for as well. Is there a specific process on heating and spraying oil on the bolts to get them to break loose? There's enough of the bolt on the other side to get vice grips on yes, I guess I'll just have to get them as tight as possible.
Where can I get new bolts? Home Home depot? We used to have small hardware stores downtown but they have been demolished.
Where can I get new bolts? Home Home depot? We used to have small hardware stores downtown but they have been demolished.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 2
It separates in 2 pieces. I'd take the radius arm off the truck and work on it on the bench.
Heat the outside of the C but don't heat it enough to get the bolt hot.
I buy bolts from Fastenal or Tractor Supply
Heat the outside of the C but don't heat it enough to get the bolt hot.
I buy bolts from Fastenal or Tractor Supply
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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Likes: 2
Did you have the bolts out recently, or where you trying to remove the bolts when they broke?
Id soak the **** out of them tonight with PB Blaster, then try to remove them in the morning, if they want move try heating it as A/O said, Id replace all of the bolts though, not just the 2 that are broke...
Id soak the **** out of them tonight with PB Blaster, then try to remove them in the morning, if they want move try heating it as A/O said, Id replace all of the bolts though, not just the 2 that are broke...
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Okay well at this point in time till I get the truck on the road I've just been trying to break the bolts loose so it'd be one less thing to worry about. That didn't exactly work out though. Yea I've been soaking these bolts since the fall. I've tried a 50/50 of acetone and ATF fluid as well after reading about it on another forum. That and PB blaster. I'll see what I can do. If I have to drill them out, what would be a good way to do that? Start with a small bit for a pilot hole and then go to what size? What would the tap size need to be?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,669
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You need left hand bits with your drill in reverse. 1/4" should be OK to start. Once you get up to 7/16 or maybe 1/2 use an extractor to twist it out. Then chase it with a 9/16 tap.
It doesn't get much better than acetone and atf
It doesn't get much better than acetone and atf
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,481
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
try heating it up before spraying it. it will be smoky, but the heat will expand things some letting the oil work it's way in.then let it cool off and try getting it out. i have had a few where i heat/sprayed 2-3 times and the bolts came rite out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
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From: VA
I've seen where if you drill a bolt out perfectly and drill just to the threads, you can take something small and pick the remaining metal out of the threads. You've got to be pretty precise in drilling, but it's possible. That way you can save your original threads.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
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From: Ohio
Why left hand bits and drill in reverse? What I was gonna do actually if this made any sense, was turn the rest of the bolt clockwise (or tighten it) because it has less didn't to travel out the back of the piece than the front. Let me know what you think and if that changes what I use.
I'll try the vise grips today and see what I can do.
I'll try the vise grips today and see what I can do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 2
What do you plan to do when you hit the shoulder of the bolt? 
Left hand in reverse because any and all resistance is loosening the bolt. Trust me...this is the right way to drill out a bolt
Try vice grips and heat with atf/acetone first
Left hand in reverse because any and all resistance is loosening the bolt. Trust me...this is the right way to drill out a bolt
Try vice grips and heat with atf/acetone first
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Oh wow yea good point! I'll have to go to the local tractor supply sometime soon then. Is there a link you could post that shows what this extractor looks like so I know exactly what to look for? BTW I tried to heat it up and get it out this morning with no luck, but I was trying to tighten it. And after your enlightenment I think I know why it didn't budge lol.