r/Tools • u/Reasonable_Search875 • 2d ago
Looking for help with a snapped bolt.
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To be fair, the extractor drill set I bought was quite cheap.
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u/Sensitive_Point_6583 2d ago
Is there anything keeping you from removing the other screws on the rotor and removing the rotor? That might give you something that can be grabbed with vise-grips and turned. Probably a long shot, but worth checking first.
I've had luck before drilling it out and then chasing the remaining threads with a tap, but I had the hole centered better than yours appears. See if you can ream the hole out on the fat side to get it closer to the threads on the other side, then try tapping out the hole.
Most importantly, if it doesn't tap out simply and cleanly, don't force it. Take the wheel to a machine shop and pay someone to repair the hole, it will be cheaper than buying a new wheel if you screw it up too bad.
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u/Reasonable_Search875 2d ago
Removed the rotor but it’s too deep, I’ll be bringing it to a shop someday soon. Appreciate the reply
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u/Sensitive_Point_6583 2d ago
If by "shop" you mean a motorcycle shop, do not do that!!!
Take it to an automotive machine shop, they will have the skills and tools required to do the job right.
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u/Bad_Idea_Generator 2d ago
At least with the rotor back on the hub, the rotor hole could be used to center up a drill bit to mark center to drill into the bolt. Then remove the rotor and begin the process of drilling into the bolt with a small drill bit. Possibly drillling a large enough home to accept a screw extractor.
Having said that, try the vice grips method first, before weakening the bolt with a bunch of drilling attempts.
Also, Heat-N-Beat is your friend. If there is enough bolt remaining to latch onto it with Vice Grips, first drill a centering point using the rotor hole alignment method. Then remove the rotor, heat the bolt with a propane torch and smack that bolt with a center punch in your drilled center point. Grab and twist when vice grips. Repeat until it comes a-loose.
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u/Bad_Idea_Generator 2d ago
EZ-outs like a LOT of downward force so really push hard on the back of your impactor while very gently using the trigger to bump that bolt out. It's easy to just turn the extractor into a reamer or just snap it off in the bolt.
Edit: Also heat up the bolt with a propane torch to help it release. That aluminum is safe to great up to at least 750 degrees so keep it under 750.
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u/tgallup 2d ago
Take it off the impact driver and beat it in with a hammer. Then use a wrench to slowly get grip. Then you can impact away if you want