Restoring some suspension components on the L-78 and of course this involves torches, liquid wrench, and the like. Some of the rear sway bar attachment bolts broke off trying to remove them. Drilled them out and was able to extract ONE with an easy-out. The other two are still in there, drilled out and everything (broke one easy-out too). Now the dumb part of this post - Since I can't imagine the sway bar getting that much torque, I was wondering if leaving one fastener at each bushing location would be an option. If not, what are my options? Helicoil? Tack weld the sway bar bushing bracket to the frame? Any advice here would be very helpful.
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Re: Broken bolts
One reason I don't use 'easy out' is when fastener is in hard enough to break on itself, it's a high probability that the hardened easy out is gonna break inside the drill guide hole....
THEN, trying to drill out with a 'chunk' of fresh hardened steel smack dab in the middle of where you wanna go is a *****! When original fastener breaks on removal, I go right to drill & re-tap....
The alternatives you give (drill and re-tap, helicoil, or weld) all work depending on what level of repair you want. Personally, I'd steer away from welding (chicken out job) an heli-coil (not known as as a solid strain fix). A fresh/sharp drill bit WILL go through the broken easy out with patience.
If some holes are now oversized, you can drill out, tap, insert a larger bolt, weld, grind, and re-drill/tap... Helicoil tends to work in appliations where it can 'bottom out' in the oversized hole and you're working on frame cross section.... -
Re: Broken bolts
Jack----
I totally agree regarding "easy-outs". I've NEVER ONCE used one successfully for the exact reasons that you mentioned. I gave up on those years ago and I can't understand why they even still make them. It amazes me that anyone could use one successfully except in the least demanding of circumstances. If you couldn't get the bolt out with the HEAD still on it, what chance will you have with the HEAD OFF and a little "easy-out" shank to turn it with.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Broken bolts
Have any of you used the Reverse type Drill that you use in reverse? When you get close to the wall of the bolt sometimes they grab and spin the old bolt out.Comment
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Re: Broken bolts
Thanks for the info. I thought that maybe I was just a clutz and that was why only one of the three bolts was successfully extracted. I feel better about the whole affair not necessarily being self inflicted now. BTW, I was using a l/h drill bit, but right from the begining, I was VERY skeptical of how this could ever possibly work. If the bolt is frozen enough to snap the head off, I think that a stuck bit would result in a broken bit about a thousand times more often than the stuck bit would cause the bolt to come out. But there are suckers born every minute, proven by the fact that I bought a "kit" consisting of L/H drills and easy outs. So much for that!Comment
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Re: Broken bolts
Mike,
When it comes to suckers don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I once broke the head of a bolt off tightening down a new oil pan gasket. I ordered the best easy-out kit I could find, complete with l/h drill bits, and waited a week for it to arrive. As soon as I put the reversible drill to the stub the drill itself backed it out without even drilling a hole. Nicest piece of equipment I'll never use. TBarr #24014Comment
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Re: Broken bolts
I have used easy out with very good success - I also bought high grade products I have found alot of the hardware/chain store stuff is not up to the task. I have very good luck wit lh bits and rev air drills and elect drills. There is a very good article in last months/or this months Street Rodder about getting out rusted and broken bolts. One article was about the use of water and the reversal of the seized/rusted situation. very informative. very interesting - i have not tried water yet.Comment
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Re: Broken bolts
PB Blaster , a product sold in most good autoparts stores,is great for preventing the dreaded headless bolt.This product makes liquid wrench look like glue in comparison. I'm sure most restorers already know squirt,wait----squirt,and wait some more is the key.Heat always helps when extracting broken bolts, but many times it's not practical or too dangerous,depending on proximity to flamables and your precious vette. Patience with easy outs,drilling a small enough hole and using PB Blaster works for me.Won't come out today? Try again tomorrow!Comment
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