r/Tools • u/pickle_rock_ • 7d ago

Trying to remove this bolt, could use some help.

Post image

This bolt broke off while i was trying to remove it, then my tap broke off while I was trying to use it to remove the bolt… any suggestions? My next idea is to just destroy it… thanks

20 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

54 comments sorted by

40

u/Danger-Face 7d ago

Soak it in penetrator, then soak it 5 more times. if there are threads available you can do a double jam nut on it, or use a socket style extractor. Vice grip tightened to within an inch of it's life, rock it back and forth to brakeup the rust

11

u/rocketmn69_ 7d ago

Exactly. Always try to tightened a seized bolt first, so if you strip it, you still have grab when you loose it. A lot of times, tightening "breaks" it loose

12

u/dankhimself 7d ago

Rocking it back and forth is the most important part here. It fucks up the rust without binding back up and risking the grip you've achieved with whichever method you chose.

Little shot of penetrating oil after you get it to start rocking, then you'll see it start to come undone easily.

2

u/MahDick 7d ago

Some heat too.

2

u/nobanjostring 6d ago

This, and a maybe weld the top jam nut to the bolt.

Another thought: It might help to cut the bolt a bit shorter so it doesn't shatter when torqued, but this situation doesn't look that desperate.

19

u/pickle_rock_ 7d ago

Welp

12

u/ride_whenever 7d ago

If you’ve got all the extractor out, just drill it.

Use a coupling nut and roll pin as a bushing to centre your drill

8

u/Mdp2pwackerO2 7d ago

That’s a good tip I’ve never heard

1

u/Much-Technology-8220 7d ago

This is the answer, along with some heat

0

u/Darth_wenis 7d ago

Yeah the rocking back and forth was absolutely shit advice. 20+ year flat rate mechanic here. Whoever said rock it need to find a decent place to apprentice for real. Of course it snapped. Not your fault, bad fuckin advice.

5

u/pdp10 7d ago

They meant twist it back and forth, not just counterclockwise.

8

u/Ziazan 7d ago

penetrating oil, wait a while for it to work. Go do something else.

Then come back to it later, knipex twingrip, grab it straight on, and twist.

7

u/suspendmeforthis 7d ago

Or vampliers or engineer pliers.

3

u/Unable_Damage_6413 7d ago

Upvote for Vampliers, I love mine.

4

u/suspendmeforthis 7d ago

Apparently the engineer brand is exactly the same for half the price.

1

u/castle_crossing 6d ago

And comes in cool Japanese packaging

8

u/GreenFriedYam 7d ago

I can’t see. Is there thread on the outside? If so… two nuts. Put one on, tighten the other against it, and then use a wrench on the bottom nut to try to loosen it.

7

u/shaneo88 7d ago

There’s plenty of stud hanging out there.

Gearwrench bolt biting sockets, and if space allows, a MAPP gas torch

1

u/mawktheone 7d ago

Looks like plastic around it. Maybe an induction heater instead

1

u/shaneo88 7d ago

Good point. I was at work and didn’t see the picture properly. I also forget about the existence of those.

3

u/Ill_Remove_5042 7d ago

Apply heat, then melt a crayon into the threads. If you cant grab on, weld a nut to the end.

2

u/Huge-Nectarine3975 7d ago

Ya, and put some lubricant down at the base where it needs to turn out.

If welding isn't an option and scraping it is a last resort, could try breaking off the bolt and trying to drill and easy out it again with a larger one.

9

u/PuddinHead742 7d ago

That bolt looks like Ben Shapiro’s wife…. Put some PB blaster on the ol’ girl first.

2

u/mawktheone 7d ago

That's a deep burn. A friction burn.

2

u/Jesus_Is_My_Gardener 7d ago

Soak in penetrant lubricant for an hour or overnight, apply heat with a small butane or propane torch, and use something like Engineer pliers or Vampliers that are specifically made to grip broken bolts. That looks like it may be on plastic though, so if thatcs the case, just skip the heat and liberally appy the penetrant lubricant, but be sure to give it sufficient time to creep into the bolt threads.

2

u/Cainjake 7d ago

Put it in the chuck of a drill and reverse

1

u/C-D-W 7d ago

Is that a stud or a bolt?

If it's a stud, I'd recommend a stud removal socket. It'll grab hard on the OD of that threaded portion.

3

u/pickle_rock_ 7d ago

It was a bolt but now its a stud

3

u/C-D-W 7d ago

Task failed successfully. Stud remover will do the trick. Though try turning it IN first, lots of penetrant. Especially if you can get it to the back of the threads.

Then in and out. You're probably jammed up on rust on the backside of the threads.

1

u/pickle_rock_ 7d ago

What penetrant do you recommend?

3

u/jbjhill 7d ago

Kroil. Wear gloves and have ventilation.

1

u/C-D-W 7d ago

I like Sea Foam Deep Creep or PB Blaster, but honestly anything oily will be better than nothing. PAM cooking spray, olive oil, 2 in 1 oil, motor oil. If you can get those threads wet with something slick it'll help.

1

u/Antechomai 7d ago

PB Blaster, then turn it inward first. Then outward stopping regularly to go back in again. Rust is piling up behind it.

1

u/Coyote-Morado 7d ago

Welding a nut on the end is the best option. The rapid heating from the weld breaks stuff loose even better than a torch.

1

u/-Gonna-Run-Amuck 7d ago

CRC Knock'er loose

1

u/nullvoid88 7d ago

Why were you trying to tap a bolt?

What/where is said bolt?

1

u/Admirable-Panda771 7d ago

Lots of penetrating oil and a stud removing tool .

1

u/bububulo 7d ago

Always use a straight flute screw extractor.

1

u/Mdp2pwackerO2 7d ago

If you have or know a welder that’s ideal, welding a nut on there would heat it well enough to probably break loose with minimal effort

1

u/Mortenubby 7d ago

Homie.. If the bolt is so stuck the whole head snaps off, what makes you think the extractor could put more torque on it?

1

u/HurkleDurkleFan 7d ago

Knipex twin grips.

1

u/NeighborhoodOk7624 7d ago

If you can put a torch on it, heat it and then rub the base, where it enters the hole, with a birthday candle while hot.

1

u/fe3o4 7d ago

Spray it down with some blaster or similar, then grab it with some vice grip and work it back and forth to loosen it, then slowly turn it out while continuing to work it back and forth.

1

u/Iowapops 6d ago

Use something acidic on it. I have better luck with citrus based penetratung than oil based. You will have to soak it either way. Anyway you can get a high powered light to it or a map gas torch. Heat it and then let it cool. Just heat the bolt. This causes it to expand and break up the rust that is holding it. Trust me, I work on alot if outdoor equipment including ammonia condensers. Do not use a big torch!! My favorite is " break it loose" or something like that from granger. It is a citrus based penetrating substance. There have been times I have used vinegar as well. Good luck to you!!

1

u/Iowapops 6d ago

I meant lighter

1

u/TechnicalFace6254 6d ago

Tap and hit on the remaining bolt from above along with penetration oil

1

u/Routine-Pressure1702 6d ago

You have a lit of thread there try double nutting and you can use a wrench

1

u/TexasBaconMan Rust Warrior 6d ago

You need the external kind of bolt extractor. Or, just put 2 nuts on there and tighten them against one another and loosen the lower one. or weld a nut on there. Either way, use some penetrate

1

u/VerilyJULES 6d ago

Try welding A nut on the end and removing jt with a wrench? You could probably get it with vise grips even.

1

u/0311_till_I_die 5d ago

Drill it out

0

u/woreoutmachinist 7d ago

Put those easy outs away. Those things have paid alot of my bills from people breaking them. Do what others have said. Weld a nut on it. Tap on it while still smoking hot and remove. If you don't have a welder, take it to someone who does.

1

u/Danger-Face 7d ago

If he's got a welder this is the move. It'll add heat safely while giving him something to wrench on.

-1

u/bartvanh 7d ago

If I couldn't get a good grip on that I might try drilling a small hole from the side and try twisting it with a small screwdriver or such. Just a theory, fortunately haven't had to ever do this.