Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

[Kevdog540]

I am new here, I've been lurking around a bit and have benefitted greatfully from the info I have gotten from this site.
I have been working on a '88 Force 125.
I was taking the water pump housing off to inspect the impeller and snapped the head off one of the bolts. Do any of you guys have any ideas how to remove it? Thanks

 

[Kevdog540]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

Here's a pic

 

[paw2000]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

Hi, looks like you had gotten the bolt started out before it broke. Since you have some sticking out to grab, you can use vise grips. I would soak the bolt and try to thread it back in a little. If the bolt got tighter as you tried to remove it, corrision had formed on the thread and caused it to bind on removal. Try working the bolt back and forth with a good penetrating oil. After you get the bolt out chase the threads, you might have to heli coil the threads if bad.

 

[chitownborn]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

irwin tools makes bolt extractors that you can buy at autozone, there socket looking, and 3/8 drive that you tap over the stud and when you go to back it out it clamps on the stud, ive used these to remove 18 broken head bolts and they work great.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

Hi, looks like you had gotten the bolt started out before it broke. Since you have some sticking out to grab, you can use vise grips. I would soak the bolt and try to thread it back in a little. If the bolt got tighter as you tried to remove it, corrision had formed on the thread and caused it to bind on removal. Try working the bolt back and forth with a good penetrating oil. After you get the bolt out chase the threads, you might have to heli coil the threads if bad.

Exactly what I would do/recommend.

Mark

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

FIRST: remove the other three bolts holding the lower plate and using plenty of penetrating oil, work that plate up off the snapped bolt.

That's an easy one to get out--I wish all mine were like it.

After the plate is off, spray plenty of penetrating oil onto the threads and let it soak a day or two. Heat the aluminum a bit with a propane torch and using a vise-grips, wiggle the bolt loose. Then , wiggling it work it out 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time until it is loose enough to spin out completely.

 

[Kevdog540]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

Thanks Frank, Thats exactly what happen. The bolt actually snapped flush with the top of the housing. and after I removed the other three bolts the housing just came off. All I had was Corrosion X and that is what I used today. I'm going to try and heat it up tomorrow.
What is the recommended penetrating agent?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

You misunderstood me. Remove the three (1/4 x 3/4 inch long) bolts holding the torpedo shaped plate that is still on the leg. Then pry up the plate off the bolt. This plate seals the oil chamber and the drive shaft. After you remove it, the bolt will be exposed down the the threads in the case. Otherwise, you will not easily get penetrating oil to the threads. I like WD 40 but I understand that KROIL has an excellent reputation for freeing stuck bolts.

 

[moparman]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

weld a nut to the remaining piece sticking up ,and after it cools a bit, whack it with a hammer to drive the threads of the broke bolt down, this should come out ,even if its cross threaded some what,because your applying some heat and also loosening the threads ,which is what it needs .Hope this helps with your broke bolt removal ,keep us posted on your progress. MOPARMAN ROLL TIDE 12-0 gator hunting

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

Re-read, and follow Frank's directions.

There are many penetrating products that can work, personally, I like PB Blaster, some people like Coke.

The decisive factor is PATIENCE, and NOT brute force. A small part of a turn then back it up, sort of like cutting threads with a tap, cut a little ways, then back up to break and clear the chips, only with a stuck thread you are working the penetrant down thru the thread to loosen and lube them so you don't destroy the aluminum threads.

One smart rap on the broken head/shaft with a SMALL ball peen hammer and a SMALL pair of vise grips with GOOD teeth. I have 2 sets of 4 inchers that I swear by for removing most any broken bolts that I can get a hold of. They aren't really long enough to break a bolt off again, but enough to turn most anything.

Make sure the teeth are SHARP and clamp/bite onto the piece SOLIDLY. An old worn set are only good to clamp stuff together for welding. If you're not a welder then throw the worn set away or give them to a welding friend.

 

[Kevdog540]

Re: Snapped Bolt...Any Ideas? Please Help!!

I got it. Patience was key. Basically I let it sit over night Sunday with corrosion x soaking on it. Monday night I messed with it alittle. Just rocking it back and forth with vice grips and more CX. This morning I sprayed alittle more on it and left for the day. Stopped by Lowe's this afternoon and picked up a propane torch. 5 min of heating it(not all at the same time) and rocking it, it started to ease out. Thanks for the help. Now I'm about to tackle the tilt cylinder, I'm replacing the hyd band assy. hope it's easier than the water pump. Thanks again, Kevin