how to remove a broken bolt?

techn0l0gist · 4th November 2006, 17:34

Hi Everyone,

I have managed to break one of the bolts that are used to fasten the seats to the floor while tightening it

. Any ideas on how to get the bolt out? I was considering drilling the bolt .. but i am not sure if that would be the best solution. In my case there in not much of the shaft of the bolt protruding out too.

How do you guys pull out such bolts?

heelntoe · 4th November 2006, 19:00

drilling and using a self tapping screw would be ideal i guess.

techn0l0gist · 4th November 2006, 20:45

thanks heelandtoe, but how do i use a self tapping screw? i was thinking of just drilling through the bolt trying to make sure that the drill doesn't tough the outer threads.

[OFFTOPIC] Mod's, i just realised that i made a typo in the tittle of this thread (should have been "how does one remove a broken bolt"...and I can't seem to find a "edit" button for neither the thread nor the post (i guess due to my <50 posts?) could you please change that if you could? thanks. [/OFFTOPIC]

Pankaj401 · 5th November 2006, 00:48

You can weld the new hexagonal head from another bolt to the protruding part and then remove it. But got to take care so as not to burn anything.

BMW · 5th November 2006, 08:54

Welding a new hexagonal head or a small bolt on the tip of broken bolt which is protuding out is one option.

Other option is to purchase a tap having "reverse" threads along with suitable drill and a bolt having similar "reverse" threads. Drill a hole in the broken bolt and cut the thread using the tap. Tighten the bolt having reverse threads. The bolt with reverse thread will get tightened by rotating it anti clockwise. Once it becomes fully tightened, the broken bolt will loosen and also start to rotate anti clockwise.

As you rightly said, you need to be careful while drilling the hole in the broken bolt. BTW, what is the aprox. diameter of the broken bolt? Since it is used to fasten the seat to the floor, I guess it should be around 8 to 10 mm.

merve_extreme · 5th November 2006, 09:45

Just go to a metal workshop and they will remove the bolt for you.they use the drilling method to remove broken bolts.

Revvhead · 5th November 2006, 12:35

Two options-

One drill through the bolt, post that it should be easy to remove

2- even better. Get a bolt extractor. Thats like reverse drill bit/screw, where the threads are in reverse. So as you drive it in, it pulls out the bolt

techn0l0gist · 5th November 2006, 21:11

Thanks for the replies everyone...I guess i'll go to a garage that does body/metal work sometime next week and ask them to do it for me....asking them to try the above mentioned ideas before they try doing something drastic (read brute force cutting/welding!) ..shall let you guys know what was done.

In the whole process, i guess i learnt another DIY lesson about NOT to overtighten any screws/bolts/nuts!

ranjit · 6th November 2006, 18:30

The easiest way is to weld on another bolt and then use a spanner to get it out...make sure the welding is done as close to perfection as possible else the "splutter" from the welding rod could firmly and permanently weld your broken-off bolt to the floor of the car!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by techn0l0gist

....In the whole process, i guess i learnt another DIY lesson about NOT to overtighten any screws/bolts/nuts!

Unless you buy the Safari! You could over-tighten all you want with good 'ol Tata steel...just keep buying new spanners as they keep snapping off!

(Sorry....just that unrisistable urge to push my favouritest car!!)

DRC · 6th November 2006, 18:54

1. If you still have a part of the bolt jutting out, then weld another bolt or a nut and un screw it out.

2. if the bolt is big enough to take an other bolt with in itself then go for the reverse thread option. this is tricky. If the bolt you have broken is too tight to be handled by the smaller bolt in thread in, it may also snap.

3. Drill and use the same size and direction tapper to tkae off the filings.

Take it to a garage they do it for you.

4th November 2006, 17:34	#1
techn0l0gist BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 366 Thanked: 94 Times	how to remove a broken bolt? Hi Everyone, I have managed to break one of the bolts that are used to fasten the seats to the floor while tightening it . Any ideas on how to get the bolt out? I was considering drilling the bolt .. but i am not sure if that would be the best solution. In my case there in not much of the shaft of the bolt protruding out too. How do you guys pull out such bolts?
	() Thanks

4th November 2006, 19:00	#2
heelntoe BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: navi mumbai Posts: 238 Thanked: Once	drilling and using a self tapping screw would be ideal i guess.
	() Thanks

4th November 2006, 20:45	#3
techn0l0gist BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 366 Thanked: 94 Times	thanks heelandtoe, but how do i use a self tapping screw? i was thinking of just drilling through the bolt trying to make sure that the drill doesn't tough the outer threads. [OFFTOPIC] Mod's, i just realised that i made a typo in the tittle of this thread (should have been "how does one remove a broken bolt"...and I can't seem to find a "edit" button for neither the thread nor the post (i guess due to my <50 posts?) could you please change that if you could? thanks. [/OFFTOPIC]
	() Thanks

5th November 2006, 00:48	#4
Pankaj401 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 215 Thanked: 7 Times	You can weld the new hexagonal head from another bolt to the protruding part and then remove it. But got to take care so as not to burn anything.
	() Thanks

5th November 2006, 08:54	#5
BMW BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 39 Thanked: Once	Welding a new hexagonal head or a small bolt on the tip of broken bolt which is protuding out is one option. Other option is to purchase a tap having "reverse" threads along with suitable drill and a bolt having similar "reverse" threads. Drill a hole in the broken bolt and cut the thread using the tap. Tighten the bolt having reverse threads. The bolt with reverse thread will get tightened by rotating it anti clockwise. Once it becomes fully tightened, the broken bolt will loosen and also start to rotate anti clockwise. As you rightly said, you need to be careful while drilling the hole in the broken bolt. BTW, what is the aprox. diameter of the broken bolt? Since it is used to fasten the seat to the floor, I guess it should be around 8 to 10 mm.
	() Thanks

5th November 2006, 09:45	#6
merve_extreme Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Just go to a metal workshop and they will remove the bolt for you.they use the drilling method to remove broken bolts.
	() Thanks

5th November 2006, 12:35	#7
Revvhead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 447 Thanked: 21 Times View My Garage	Two options- One drill through the bolt, post that it should be easy to remove 2- even better. Get a bolt extractor. Thats like reverse drill bit/screw, where the threads are in reverse. So as you drive it in, it pulls out the bolt
	() Thanks

5th November 2006, 21:11	#8
techn0l0gist BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 366 Thanked: 94 Times	Thanks for the replies everyone...I guess i'll go to a garage that does body/metal work sometime next week and ask them to do it for me....asking them to try the above mentioned ideas before they try doing something drastic (read brute force cutting/welding!) ..shall let you guys know what was done. In the whole process, i guess i learnt another DIY lesson about NOT to overtighten any screws/bolts/nuts!
	() Thanks

6th November 2006, 18:54	#10
DRC BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cockpit Posts: 907 Thanked: 67 Times View My Garage	1. If you still have a part of the bolt jutting out, then weld another bolt or a nut and un screw it out. 2. if the bolt is big enough to take an other bolt with in itself then go for the reverse thread option. this is tricky. If the bolt you have broken is too tight to be handled by the smaller bolt in thread in, it may also snap. 3. Drill and use the same size and direction tapper to tkae off the filings. Take it to a garage they do it for you.
	() Thanks