Bolt Broken

[woodlandfarms]

OK, I am getting desperate.

A bolt on my mower broke off rather low in the hole. I have been able to work it up to the surface but now it is completely jammed.

I have lubed it, waxed it, hit it with a torch, Tried to use an extractor, and have been using the old school method of hammer and punch and working it around.

I am concerned that all I have left is welding a bolt on and I am not much of a welder and this is quite flush.

Looking for ideas I have not thought of.

The bolt is 5/8" btw..

Carl

 

[firemanpat2910]

Is it a blind hole or can you get to it from either way? If you can drill it from the other side it might push itself right out. 5/8 is pretty good sized. I have drilled holes in broken bolts then hammered an old torx bit deep into it then used the screw it in and out a little more each time method or the quick hand impact tool, witch keeps bit hammered in and spins it at the same time. Good luck, theres a great feeling when that bolt finaly gives up.

 

[Dunham Farm]

Take a 6011 rod and weld a tip on the end of you bolt and vice grips will take it right out. this works on bolts that are rusted in also. If the tip breaks off weld a gain till it's out, I'v done this on dozer's a lot.
Brian

 

[davkir]

Have you tried grinding a slot in it with a worn out (small) cutoff wheel and using a BIG screwdriver with an adjustable wrench?

 

[Runner]

If it's flush with the surface, maybe you could place a nut over the surface of the bolt and weld inside the nut to attach it to the bolt?

 

[Travelover]

I've had some luck with drilling with a left hand drill. The combination of heat , vibration and torque seem to loosen 'em up.

 

[frank_f15]

OK, I am getting desperate.

A bolt on my mower broke off rather low in the hole. I have been able to work it up to the surface but now it is completely jammed.

I have lubed it, waxed it, hit it with a torch, Tried to use an extractor, and have been using the old school method of hammer and punch and working it around.

I am concerned that all I have left is welding a bolt on and I am not much of a welder and this is quite flush.

Looking for ideas I have not thought of.

The bolt is 5/8" btw..

Carl

seeing how you were able to work the bolt out some of the way , i wonder if the female part is dinged at the top? screw the bolt back in and then use a thread chaser to clean up the threads and then try to work the bolt out. just an idea

 

[Superduper]

5/8" bolt is fairly large and if it's too difficult for you to weld you might be able to drill a smaller hole (3/16", 1/4" or 5/16") inside, tap that and run a longer bolt into it. Then if you tighten a jamb nut against the broken bolt, you should be able to remove it if it isn't seized. The fact that you were able to work it around suggests that this option is viable. If the outside diameter of the jamb nut is too large to jamb against the broken bolt, use a spacer or bushing between the broken bolt and new bolt.

 

[DrRick]

I nsecond the left handed drill bits. I use that method first every time now. Get one a little smaller and by the time it makes a hole it usually just spins the piece right out. I keep a set of different sizes for this purpose alone. The smaller nut welded thru the inside onto the broken piece also works almost every time.
good luck
rick

 

[john_bud]

The welding trick works, but if/when you splatter slag it can make the whole deal worse.

I really like using left hand drill bits. Then tap some left hand threads and screw in a left hand bolt. That works slick, if you have the room.

jb

 

[Superduper]

While left handed drill bits and taps work best, they aren't that common in most folk's tool arsenal. Anyone find left handed drill bit, left handed tap (just one please) and left handed bolts at your local HD or Kragen? Not common stuff. In the absense, standard rotation drill bits and taps will still work as long as you use a jamb nut to secure the new bolt to the old bolt. Once "jambed" together, they act as one and you can then rotate the bolt out.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I want to thank all of you for your advice. I have added a few new ideas to my limited arsenal of tricks.

But you will probably all laugh at the resolution. It came down to angles. See, I was laying on my back, mower well supported so no danger of falling. One of the contractors came by who is a mechanic for all the heavy equipment he has. He told me to flip it over, and give it a try (using the punch and hammer technique). If that did not work he had some really cool easy outs that were straight (not tapered) You drilled a straight hole, hammered in the easy out and then but down the locking nut and wrenched it out.

Anyway, by simply being able to see it and attack it from the top, it came out in 30 seconds.

Frankly, I was afraid to tip it over, either damaging it, the motor or being too stupid to get it righted back.

So thanks again for all the help. Gotta love this site.

 

[john_bud]

While left handed drill bits and taps work best, they aren't that common in most folk's tool arsenal. Anyone find left handed drill bit, left handed tap (just one please) and left handed bolts at your local HD or Kragen? Not common stuff. In the absense, standard rotation drill bits and taps will still work as long as you use a jamb nut to secure the new bolt to the old bolt. Once "jambed" together, they act as one and you can then rotate the bolt out.

It's called being a good scout. Order online in advance. 3-4 sizes of drills, taps and some bolts. Spend $20 now and have the "goodies" in the tool box for later. I ordered bits about 15 years ago and have been happy to have them on numerous occasions. Waiting until there is a dire need is just a bit too late!

jb

 

[Wayne County Hose]

It sounds like he had the Snap-on E1020 set (I think that's the #), my favorite for broken bolts. It has never failed me yet and is under $100. Drill a hole, hammer in the fluted shaft, drop the nut looking thing over it, and remove. Best part is they are warranteed.

 

[sandman2234]

Since you are against the welding tricks, for obvious reasons, have you tried the candle wax trick?
David from jax