Got Myself Into A Huge Mess
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: NC
Got Myself Into A Huge Mess
I removed one of my rear shocks on my 1990 coupe with the soft-ride suspension to check to see if it was any good and upon putting it back on one of the bolts that attaches the shock to the body broke off. In an attempted to remove the broken bolt I used a set of screw/bolt extractors, except the bolt extractor broke of in the hole that I drilled in the bolt. Any ideas on how to remove this bolt would be appreciated. Also what are your feelings on the possibility that I might only have one bolt at the top holding my shock on?
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Hillsborough NH
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well, 1. Don't go with only one hole. Just think of the stress exerted on the shock on a continual basis.
As far as getting it out...someone else should comment.
As far as getting it out...someone else should comment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Jenison MI
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by 828790vetteman
Fsr402 thanks, for the info on what bit to use, but what should I do now to remove it?
Thanks
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,083
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From: Spanish Fork Utah
Originally Posted by 828790vetteman
Fsr402 thanks, for the info on what bit to use, but what should I do now to remove it?
Thanks
Thanks
I ended up with a solution that worked pretty well. I used my Dremmel and went through about 10 bits of some kind to get the easy out Dremmel'ed out. Might work for you if you have the patience. It worked just fine for me.
Shayne
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Springboro OH
I would use a drill to open it up and then re-tap the hole. Get a tap that is for the original size bolt then the correct drill bit (carbide) for that tap and be sure to start in the center, drill it, tap it and you are good as new. The only thing is Im not sure about the space you have can you get a drill up there?
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Race Director
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
EDM the mess out.
Look under "Machining" in the Yellow Pages.
Probably cost a coupla' hundered dollars but you need both bolts (screws, actually) holding that plate on.
Oh, and buy a torque wrench.
I feel for ya'.
Larry
Look under "Machining" in the Yellow Pages.
Probably cost a coupla' hundered dollars but you need both bolts (screws, actually) holding that plate on.
Oh, and buy a torque wrench.
I feel for ya'.
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I have had success chiping out broken extractors. Grind down an old screw driver or narrow chisel to fit the opening. Put on saftey glasses or shield better yet. Striking straight down on it will make it fracture and pieces will fly. Resharpen and repeat. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
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From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Three BIG ifs here. IF you have the room, IF you have access to a mig welder and, IF there is any of the bolt stub sticking out you can weld another bolt to the stub, the heat of welding will help loosen the stub and then you can use a common wrench to get it out. Quickest method I've ever used IF you can meet all the IFs. 
OOOPS, I forgot, disconnect the battery before welding.
OOOPS, I forgot, disconnect the battery before welding.
Le Mans Master
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From: Jenison MI
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St. Jude Donor '06
I am going to paste what I said in the PM only for they guy that 6 months from now does a search on this. That way there is more info for them to work with.
Sorry man I wasn't trying to be funny.
This is what I would do.
Get a Carbide drill (if you can't get one, a cement drill will work) and drill out the EZ-out. Once that's out get yourself some reversed drill bits and start drilling out the bolt. You may get lucky and as the drill bits get bigger it will release enough of the hold that the threads have on the bolt and the reversed drill will spin it out. If not you may end up drilling the bolt out all the way and having to either run a tap in there to clean out the threads or if worst comes to worst drill out the treads and tap new threads in the next size up bolt and drill the hole in the shock larger to match.
There is no good way to go about this. You just have to start out small and try to do the lest amount of damage that you can and still get it useable.
This is what I would do.
Get a Carbide drill (if you can't get one, a cement drill will work) and drill out the EZ-out. Once that's out get yourself some reversed drill bits and start drilling out the bolt. You may get lucky and as the drill bits get bigger it will release enough of the hold that the threads have on the bolt and the reversed drill will spin it out. If not you may end up drilling the bolt out all the way and having to either run a tap in there to clean out the threads or if worst comes to worst drill out the treads and tap new threads in the next size up bolt and drill the hole in the shock larger to match.
There is no good way to go about this. You just have to start out small and try to do the lest amount of damage that you can and still get it useable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,068
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From: Gig Harbor WA
I didn't catch all of what you did, but...
Which way would you go with this?
Take out all the fasteners that are holding tension on the shock, or put everything back in and make it tighter so that bolt is loose in comparison and may come out easier?
Which way would you go with this?
Take out all the fasteners that are holding tension on the shock, or put everything back in and make it tighter so that bolt is loose in comparison and may come out easier?
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 83
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From: NC
Sorry to just be getting back to this, but you all know the Holidays are very busy. I appreciate all of your information on my problem. The bolt is sort of tuff to get a drill bit centered on, so I'm not sure how to go about drilling it out. I don't know if the angle that I am drilling at would cause me to drill through the nut that is on the inside of the frame. I can feel the top of the bolt where it is inside of the framing of the car, although I don't think that I could weld a nut on inside of there. Is there anyway that I could heat up the area where the bolt is and possibly with the aid of some good gloves reach inside and turn the bolt out with my fingers?
Any Information is greatly appreciated, I got to get my Baby fixed so I can get back out on the open road and enjoy America's greatest accomplishment!
Thanks
Any Information is greatly appreciated, I got to get my Baby fixed so I can get back out on the open road and enjoy America's greatest accomplishment!
Thanks