Broken bolt, Help.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136
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Broken bolt, Help.
So, was removing the thermostat housing on my truck and one of the bolts broke off and left with about a 1/2" nub of a bolt
. Tried putting JB Weld in an old socket and slipping over the nubbin' but its too cold here and the stuff won't setup. I've put heat to it, no worky. I'm thinking that if there's any hope at all then maybe I should take it to a garage before I totally bust off whats left. But before spending the money for a pro-mechanic does anyone have any ideas?
. Tried putting JB Weld in an old socket and slipping over the nubbin' but its too cold here and the stuff won't setup. I've put heat to it, no worky. I'm thinking that if there's any hope at all then maybe I should take it to a garage before I totally bust off whats left. But before spending the money for a pro-mechanic does anyone have any ideas?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 12
From: Sand Lake, MI
IF you don't have a acetylene torch to heat it with or a wire feed welder to weld a nut to it your probably not going to get it out and should take it in, or if you can rent or borrow one of the two.
If you're using a small hand held propane/map gas torch you'll never get it hot enough with it, may as well be using a bic lighter!
Anyway a full sized torch, a ice cube and a par of vise grips would get it right out.
If you're using a small hand held propane/map gas torch you'll never get it hot enough with it, may as well be using a bic lighter!
Anyway a full sized torch, a ice cube and a par of vise grips would get it right out.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 260
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
More heat is always good, but I've had success with broken bolts with a Mapp torch. I've been paranoid of breaking the bolt a second time, so generally use lots of PB blaster, then heat, then cool, then heat...etc. I think the several temperature cycles cause enough expansion / contraction that it breaks the rust free. Then, vice grips and patience. If the vice grips don't immediately do the trick, remove and go through another heat cycle.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 502
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Use parrot nosed plyer from snap on or sears works better that vice grips.Then if no sucess get the drill out.Also grind the stud thats sticking out off till its flush with the block.Try a small drill bit then drill a hole then get a hi speed carbon bit and chip it out.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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I've never used an ez-out before. Which is better, the one you pre drill a hole and screw in or the square type that you pound into the pre drilled hole? Figure I might only have one shot at this.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
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if you still have some sticking out, latch on as tight as possible with some vice grips before going with the easy out. I had the same problem and thats how i got it out, along with some heat and lots of pb blaster.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
ez-out should be the last resort.
in many years and countless vehicles i have never used one.
heat/cold cycles, rust buster, and good vise grips is all you need.
when you put the new bolts in use anti-sieze on them.
in many years and countless vehicles i have never used one.
heat/cold cycles, rust buster, and good vise grips is all you need.
when you put the new bolts in use anti-sieze on them.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
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From: Renton, WA
First is heat and vice grips as these guys said. But here are some hard learned tips. If it's not obvious you are using the heat to expand the metal around the bolt so it will let go. So it is also important to keep the bolt as cool as possable. Second hit the top of the bolt with a hammer this tends to knock it loose. Last and most important, use vise grips with a square jaw and DO NOT just try and turn it out. Wiggle back and forth going a little to the left each time. And DO NOT let the vice grips turn on the bolt, if they turn on the bolt they will wear it smoother and smaller. Wiggle in one spot till the vice grips wear a flat on the side of the bolt then sighten up the grips and do it again. It will come out.
Of course all this is mute if you can just weld a nut onto the peice of the bolt.