Broken bolt extraction
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
Broken bolt extraction
My grandson just broke off one of the transmission pan bolts on his 2016 F150. His birthday is Saturday, and I wanted to get him a "top of the line" bolt extraction kit. I know this topic has been discussed on the forum several times, but I'd like to get latest input from some of you pros. What should I purchase?
Thanks
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 805
Likes: 145
From: 59701 West Valley Phoenix
I have a similar kit in the 1st link below, only draw back is on some occasions the overall size of the extractors can be too large in diameter if the bolt is broken next to a housing or structure. When that happens I use the stick type in the second link. ICON from Harbor freight is identical to the snap-on see third link.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28544401944...Bk9SR4i5jZHVYg
https://www.google.com/search?q=screw+extractor+set&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS1076& oq=scr&aqs=chrome.1.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l2.2486j0j7 &sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#oshopproduct=gid:14060562948016320010,mid:576462 732543095727,oid:15707607301851301520,iid:18061602 429620101787,rds:UENfMTQwNjA1NjI5NDgwMTYzMjAwMTB8U FJPRF9QQ18xNDA2MDU2Mjk0ODAxNjMyMDAxMA%3D%3D,pvt:hg ,pvo:3,laoid:15707607301851301520&oshop=apv&pvs=0
https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-spline-screw-extractor-set-15-piece-59194.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28544401944...Bk9SR4i5jZHVYg
https://www.google.com/search?q=screw+extractor+set&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS1076& oq=scr&aqs=chrome.1.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l2.2486j0j7 &sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#oshopproduct=gid:14060562948016320010,mid:576462 732543095727,oid:15707607301851301520,iid:18061602 429620101787,rds:UENfMTQwNjA1NjI5NDgwMTYzMjAwMTB8U FJPRF9QQ18xNDA2MDU2Mjk0ODAxNjMyMDAxMA%3D%3D,pvt:hg ,pvo:3,laoid:15707607301851301520&oshop=apv&pvs=0
https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-spline-screw-extractor-set-15-piece-59194.html
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 996
Likes: 318
Start with basics. Look for a 10 or 12 piece set that includes left hand drill bits with extractors. Pay up and buy good quality. I like HF but NOT for something like this.
Using a left hand bit sometimes the bolt will come out while drilling it. Any time a broken bolt has to be center drilled in prep for an extractor, having a high quality center punch on hand is important. Getting the bolt punched and hole drilled on center is the biggest challenge of using extractors. Sometimes they still won't budge with an extractor so must be drilled out fully and heli-coiled or tapped out to next size, so either way taking time to get the initial hole drilled on center will save a lot of grief.
There are many variations in methodology when it comes to extracting broken bolts so one type of extractor will never apply to all applications. A heat source is often a helpful tool as well.
Using a left hand bit sometimes the bolt will come out while drilling it. Any time a broken bolt has to be center drilled in prep for an extractor, having a high quality center punch on hand is important. Getting the bolt punched and hole drilled on center is the biggest challenge of using extractors. Sometimes they still won't budge with an extractor so must be drilled out fully and heli-coiled or tapped out to next size, so either way taking time to get the initial hole drilled on center will save a lot of grief.
There are many variations in methodology when it comes to extracting broken bolts so one type of extractor will never apply to all applications. A heat source is often a helpful tool as well.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Buy once, cry once. When you are easy outing a broke bolt, a quality set of easy outs go's a VERY long way.
Norseman? Drill & Tool | America's Finest High-Speed Steel Cutting Tools?
Left?Hand VORTEX?Point? & Spiral Hi?Hand Extractor ? Norseman? Drill and Tool
Fastenall carries them. https://www.fastenal.com/?utm_campai...-kfastenal-mod
If things get real bad and off center. Helicoil. https://www.helicoil.in/
Norseman? Drill & Tool | America's Finest High-Speed Steel Cutting Tools?
Left?Hand VORTEX?Point? & Spiral Hi?Hand Extractor ? Norseman? Drill and Tool
Fastenall carries them. https://www.fastenal.com/?utm_campai...-kfastenal-mod
If things get real bad and off center. Helicoil. https://www.helicoil.in/
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Well keep in mind that good, great or even awesome tools are rarely cheap tools. A long time ago I had some broken exhaust manifold bolts in my 4wd 77 F250. I was using cheap drill bits to prepare for the use of extractors. I was working on it with the motor still in the truck and the heads still on the motor.
I broke a cheap drill bit off in one and a cheap extractor off in the other...I now have a set of Norman drill bits and Norseman extractor set that I got on a walk in and over the counter purchase from Fastenall. AWESOME drill bits, crazy expansive, but drill like a hot knife thru butter. You also learn to use a center punch to make sure you are centered and drill straight, because with awesome drill bits you need to be dead center the 1st time.
These are the kind of drill bits you use with respect and you try to not even drop them. Or let the grandkids get access to them.
I broke a cheap drill bit off in one and a cheap extractor off in the other...I now have a set of Norman drill bits and Norseman extractor set that I got on a walk in and over the counter purchase from Fastenall. AWESOME drill bits, crazy expansive, but drill like a hot knife thru butter. You also learn to use a center punch to make sure you are centered and drill straight, because with awesome drill bits you need to be dead center the 1st time.
These are the kind of drill bits you use with respect and you try to not even drop them. Or let the grandkids get access to them.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
Well keep in mind that good, great or even awesome tools are rarely cheap tools. A long time ago I had some broken exhaust manifold bolts in my 4wd 77 F250. I was using cheap drill bits to prepare for the use of extractors. I was working on it with the motor still in the truck and the heads still on the motor.
I broke a cheap drill bit off in one and a cheap extractor off in the other...I now have a set of Norman drill bits and Norseman extractor set that I got on a walk in and over the counter purchase from Fastenall. AWESOME drill bits, crazy expansive, but drill like a hot knife thru butter. You also learn to use a center punch to make sure you are centered and drill straight, because with awesome drill bits you need to be dead center the 1st time.
These are the kind of drill bits you use with respect and you try to not even drop them. Or let the grandkids get access to them.
https://www.amazon.com/Norseman-Dril...zcF9hdGY&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Norseman-Scre...s%2C190&sr=8-5
I broke a cheap drill bit off in one and a cheap extractor off in the other...I now have a set of Norman drill bits and Norseman extractor set that I got on a walk in and over the counter purchase from Fastenall. AWESOME drill bits, crazy expansive, but drill like a hot knife thru butter. You also learn to use a center punch to make sure you are centered and drill straight, because with awesome drill bits you need to be dead center the 1st time.
These are the kind of drill bits you use with respect and you try to not even drop them. Or let the grandkids get access to them.
https://www.amazon.com/Norseman-Dril...zcF9hdGY&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Norseman-Scre...s%2C190&sr=8-5
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I can only guess/wonder/hope/pray that the Norseman you get from Amazon are the same as what you get in a walk in over the counter purchase from Fastenall. Let up know how they work out.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 364
Likes: 91
Did the bolt break by over tightening or did it break trying to remove it? If the latter,it's seized in the hole,and the odds of getting it extracted without making a mess of things are low. Steel bolt in cast aluminum,bad combination. Be careful with the extractor as even the best ones will break. Wished I had some better advice but in the same situation,I ended up drilling and tapping for a 3/8 bolt.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 363
Likes: 108
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
Bolt broke on tightening. I believe the aforementioned issue with steel/aluminum corrosion was a contributing factor, even on the tightening sequence. My grandson is a USN airman, attached to a combat helicopter support squadron in Norfolk. He was doing the trans fluid change in the base auto hobby shop. He used their inch-pound Snapon torque wrench. He sent me a pic of the pan bolts, and several had obvious corrosion. I told him to spray with WD40 and dress them with a wire brush. Also told him to spray into the bolt cavities and then chase the threads with one of the clean bolts. The pan is back on, missing one bolt but it’s not leaking. He will be spending this weekend with me in Northern VA, and we’ll use my tools to remove that broken bolt. I have a bit more experience doing this, so hopefully we’ll get it out and install a new bolt.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
X2 steel bolt in cast aluminum can be a bad combo. Spot on call on chase the threads and maybe use some anti-siez on the bolts. Are you dropping the pan again to get a clear view of the broke bolt?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
I hope we won't have to drop the pan, but I won't know until I eyeball it. If we do drop the pan, I hope we can capture the fluid-- it's $12/qt.
