tow mirrors
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 11
From: DARTMOUTH MA
tow mirrors
so my 1997 has the bigger tow mirrors and i went to adjust it and it snapped off. the rusty bolt is left stuck inside.
whats my best way to get that rusty bolt out?
ty
whats my best way to get that rusty bolt out?
ty
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Soak it in PB Blaster or Kroil. Remove the inner panel and see if you can grab the remainder of the bolt where it sticks into the door cavity. Try turning it with a vise-grip. You might get lucky and thread it out, and be able to reuse the rivnut.
Was this one of the lower bolts in the middle of the door, or one of the upper ones up by the window?
Was this one of the lower bolts in the middle of the door, or one of the upper ones up by the window?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
I'd start by trying to grab what's left with a vise-grip. Again, soak in a penetrant. Heat with a torch after the penetrant dries away. Those easy-outs tend to break off in hard steel bolts. Drilling the hole for the easy-out is a PITA, as well.
Might even work to grind a slot in the protruding stub, if you have a cutting wheel that will fit in there, and turn it with a screwdriver.
But yeah, good point about whether it's a bolt; look at the other mirror, and confirm that it's a bolt going into a threaded insert in the bracket, and not a stud coming out of the bracket and a nut. I sold our four-leg mirrors a few years ago, and I forget which way it was. If it's a stud, you're probably looking at a new mirror head.
Might even work to grind a slot in the protruding stub, if you have a cutting wheel that will fit in there, and turn it with a screwdriver.
But yeah, good point about whether it's a bolt; look at the other mirror, and confirm that it's a bolt going into a threaded insert in the bracket, and not a stud coming out of the bracket and a nut. I sold our four-leg mirrors a few years ago, and I forget which way it was. If it's a stud, you're probably looking at a new mirror head.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
It is a bolt and GOOD LUCK. It is a Stainless neck and a Stainless bolt. They LOVE to gaul(weld themselves) in there.
I have Never been able to get a snapped one out. I just drill it out and retap it
I have Never been able to get a snapped one out. I just drill it out and retap it
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 2
Brad,
I am installing new heads. I am thinking it will be simpler to grind and/or drill out the old bolts since the old heads are getting thrown out. Does this sound like a good plan instead of continuing to fight the bolts?
Thanks.
Rusty
I am installing new heads. I am thinking it will be simpler to grind and/or drill out the old bolts since the old heads are getting thrown out. Does this sound like a good plan instead of continuing to fight the bolts?
Thanks.
Rusty
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Yes. Grind what is left of the bolt flush with the neck. The center punch and drill it out(use drill press if you got it) and retap it. Use ALOT of anti-seize when you put it back together
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
^^^^ He's throwing out the old heads. I would think if you just turn the bolt with a big enough wrench, if it doesn't actually thread out, it'll just break off.
(... or just try to adjust it like the OP did, and hope that it breaks off...
)
(... or just try to adjust it like the OP did, and hope that it breaks off...
)
