snaped torx bit upper intake
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Michigan
snaped torx bit upper intake
I have been working on swapping some 93 ford lightning cylinder heads onto my 86 f150 . I got about 1/4 turn out of my torx bit before it snaped off inside the bolt( upper plenum passenger side middle bolt) .I can't get the broken bit piece out . i can barley get my hand in there so i can't drill or grind off the bolt or whatever .
I'm pretty sure i'm screwed , but is there a way to get it apart without taking the upper plenum off ? .thinking it might be eaiser to work on it on a bench . but i doubt it lol .i could get a junkyard intake or maybe a exploder cobra style. if i can get this one off . Pretty stressed out
I'm pretty sure i'm screwed , but is there a way to get it apart without taking the upper plenum off ? .thinking it might be eaiser to work on it on a bench . but i doubt it lol .i could get a junkyard intake or maybe a exploder cobra style. if i can get this one off . Pretty stressed out
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 456
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From: Owensboro, KY
Did it break off flush with the head of the bolt or is there some sticking out? If there is then you may be able to grab at it with long pliers. Or if you pull the fuel rail off you may be able to make enough room to get a pair of vice grips around the head and work it loose. If you manage to get it out, I'd replace it with a hex-head bolt like the others.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Michigan
Did it break off flush with the head of the bolt or is there some sticking out? If there is then you may be able to grab at it with long pliers. Or if you pull the fuel rail off you may be able to make enough room to get a pair of vice grips around the head and work it loose. If you manage to get it out, I'd replace it with a hex-head bolt like the others.
The bolt head looks ok , just a bad heat treat on the bit i suspect . it snapped right away . Is there a tool made to fit that stupid t40 bolt and clear the plenum ? It seems as if ford had ground down the casting flash that a 3/8th drive would have fit right between the plenum . i will be correcting that with a file ...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 456
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From: Owensboro, KY
All I used was a T40 bit and long extension. Of course, that cheap China metal will snap in a heartbeat. Get a quality set of bits. You may also find that soaking the bolt with PB Blaster and even trying to tighten the bolt first may break it loose easier.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
Yeah
I've never had one of my Snap-on Torx bits snap off.
Twisted half around, but not brittle enough to fail like that.
I guess it's just down to metallurgy and process control during heat treatment.
I've never had one of my Snap-on Torx bits snap off.
Twisted half around, but not brittle enough to fail like that.
I guess it's just down to metallurgy and process control during heat treatment.
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From: Orlando area
Sometimes people put Loctite on the threads. If they used "red" (272) Loctite, you may need to apply some heat to melt the thread locker. It doesn't take much heat - a propane torch will do. If you need this technique, hopefully you have enough room to get the heat in there without burning up anything.
They also make a clamp-on heater for this reason but no one is going to have one (and it's not worth buying unless your a professional mechanic). This isn't the model I had in mind, but the concept is the same.
They also make a clamp-on heater for this reason but no one is going to have one (and it's not worth buying unless your a professional mechanic). This isn't the model I had in mind, but the concept is the same.
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Junior User
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From: Michigan
I don't think that the bolt is stuck , most on the truck have been pretty easy including the exhaust manifolds . bad heat treat on the bit is my guess .
Taiwanese made hand tools from harbor freight have been good to me . I have been using them for years and this is the first failure .I buy better tools when i can but cheaper tools allow me to by better parts .they have a lifetime warranty so they will be going back .
I may order that snap on bit for future use , but i am trying to get the truck done by net Monday so tools i can get local are what i will be using . Thanks for the link .
Taiwanese made hand tools from harbor freight have been good to me . I have been using them for years and this is the first failure .I buy better tools when i can but cheaper tools allow me to by better parts .they have a lifetime warranty so they will be going back .
I may order that snap on bit for future use , but i am trying to get the truck done by net Monday so tools i can get local are what i will be using . Thanks for the link .
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