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As I was tightening the drain plug to 18 foot pounds, the bolt head sheared off. It's the bolt on the front of the pan not the one that's on the side of the pan. I think the problem is my torque wrench. It never clicked and now that I think about it I should've known I was overtightening the bolt. Spilled milk at this point.
Does anyone have experience with removing a broken plug. I don't believe the threads are stripped because I hand-started and tightened the bolt. Would a normal screw extractor work? Recommendation on a type of extractor?
Also, any recommendations on a trustworthy torque wrench at lower torque settings?
Would a normal screw extractor work? Recommendation on a type of extractor?
Any extractor should work. You might try a left hand twist drill bit since it's just over-tightened.
Tap at the edge with a small punch or chisel to get it to turn. It should come out with very little force.
Last edited by laserdude2215; Oct 17, 2021 at 11:21 AM.
it is tightened far more than 18ft lbs to sheer like that. I don't think a screwdriver will get it out. You need a bolt extractor tool kit where you can drill a hole in the center and then get a reverse tap on it and back it out carefully.
I was able to remove the broken bolt using an Irvin bolt extractor set. I used the #3 extractor after using a 5/32 drill bit. I used a center punch to make an indent but the bit still walked on me. Then I used a left handed 5/32 bit to make the hole. Afterwards, the extractor removed easily. Luckily, the threads weren't damaged!
Also, I figured out what happened with the torque wrench. I was using a HF 3/8 wrench. I tested today at multiple settings. The click is barely audible at low torque lb settings. You have to really be listening closely. You can actually feel the click as much as you can hear it as long as your moving very slowly. I'm buying a digital tool just to be on the safe side!
DOn't feel like the lone ranger on the inch pounds world. My son was putting the intake manifold back on the turbo camaro and didn't hear the click. He did figure it out after the snap of the intakebolt. :p
DOn't feel like the lone ranger on the inch pounds world. My son was putting the intake manifold back on the turbo camaro and didn't hear the click. He did figure it out after the snap of the intakebolt.
Been there, done that... but it was a 350Z intake plenum. Thankfully it had several bolts and never leaked after I got the others back in. Sometimes just going by feel is the best, especially if you removed the bolt yourself - then you have a good idea of how much effort to put back in.
The digital wrenches are nice because they beep nice and loud. I had one that would blink a light and had a pre-beep warning letting you know you were getting close.
Tighten them a few times by hand... no torque-wrench, and you'll get a feel for it. Most drain-plugs are so long, any reasonable tightening isn't going to "fall out." The first few times to practice... experiment. Tighten it, then back it out. Most are surprised how snug they do them in this fashion. And, DON''T even use an 18" break-over handle to tighten them!!! Just a boxend wrench. All the best.
Also, I figured out what happened with the torque wrench. I was using a HF 3/8 wrench. I tested today at multiple settings. The click is barely audible at low torque lb settings. You have to really be listening closely. You can actually feel the click as much as you can hear it as long as your moving very slowly. I'm buying a digital tool just to be on the safe side!
I have a small HF in-lb torque wrench. You really have to pay close attention to hear/feel the click. Not at all like my bigger Craftsman wrench.
. . .. I'm buying a digital tool just to be on the safe side!
I did buy a digital. It's really nice to have, but there is a way to overtorque that I thought I should mention. In fact I did it the first day I used it! If you turn on the wrench and then don't use it, it will probably go to sleep. I actually did this when it was new--I set the torque, crawled under the car, and by the time I was using the wrench I did not notice it had fallen asleep. No damage luckily, and I never did this again, but thought I would give you a heads-up.
Broken Oil Drain Plug
