justdriftin Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 Broke off a hex bolt trying to change my thermostats. Had a heck of a time getting the rest of the bolt out. Drilled and tried to use an extractor but not making any ground on this thing. Here is where I quit this afternoon. The pic is sideways I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfish Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Can’t tell, is there anything to bite on it at all? I have a pair of channel lock pliers that the teeth are slotted one direction specifically just to remove stuff like this. If you can get a bite, they will do wonders. They have been my saving grace a number of times. I’ll be home in morning and post up the model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 To drill and use and extractor you really need to use a center punch to drill in the center of the bolt. If you get dead center you can move up in drill size and stop just before you reach the threads and the bolt will have room to basically collapse out of the threads. I would honestly try to get the top of the bolt flat and center punch the bolt and start with a very small drill bit and hope the other hole does not draw it off center. you might even try to put a bit of JB weld in the small hole you have started. If you can get to the center of the bolt and drill a nice straight hold you have a chance to save the threads. second option. would be to increase the drill bit size untill the bolt is removed and the block is clean of the bolt and threads then just tap some threads and step up slightly in bolt size Third option. Still needs to be drilled in the center but it looks like you might have room to drill the bolt out and put a bolt all the way through and put a nut on the back side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northfl Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 If you can get a bite on the bolt, put a lil bit of heat on the housing. A bit, but not a whole lot so it wont spread to the bolt. The housing should expand enough to get the bolt out hopefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-linesider Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 I am fairly mechanically inclined. But I know my limitations. I personally would not touch it. If it were me it would be time to take it to a professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soflah3 Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 That stinks! Remember, the bolt broke for a reason. You need to get some PB Blaster / penetrating oil in there and reapply for a couple days. From there you can either pay a machine shop $100 +/- or get yourself some high quality reverse drill bits. Start off small and work your way up. I have also heard about glass tile hole saws that come in very small sizes that people have had great success with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Did you already break off an extractor while trying to remove the bolt? I can't quite tell from the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justdriftin Posted July 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Thanks all. I think the bolt was over torqued when installed or maybe cross threaded. I've been hitting it with blaster for a few days so seems like more than corrosion. I broke the head off first, then broke off the stub. That was with heating it up as well. There's not much room to get in there and drill so that's been part of the challenge. Looks like I'm going to have to tap it for a larger bolt or use a helicoil once I get it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfish Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Not much help if you broke everything off but I’ll recommend these for everyone’s tool box for stuff like this anyways. Like I said as long as you can get the slightest bite, these will do wonders. I cant read the numbers on mine anymore but they look to be what channel lock calls their “extractor” pliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 What is in the way of drilling a nice hole? Have you considered a drill with the 90 degree mounted head ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 We normally will weld another bolt onto the broken bolt and bang it with an inpact driver . Sometimes , we may have to face off the part , but it’s not hard , with the right tools . 🇺🇸☠️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooth move Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 try using a left hand bit with the drill in reverse. sometimes it will back the stud out as it's being drilled. if the doesnt't get it, and you can't tig weld anything to it. take it to a machine shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang190 Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 Looks like you would be better off taking it to a machine shop and have them drill it out, retap it and go the next size up for the new bolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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