Grading broken mower blade bolt on 54C

[Grasmere10]

In 26.5 hours together, my new 2305 and I have cut nearly everything on my property without problems. But yesterday mowing one of the few flat parts of my many acres I went over a low-lying root covered by weeds, protruding about 1/2" above the ground. Suddenly my mowing pattern was a "Mohawk" - my center blade had sheared off. After removing the deck and flipping it over, I found that the bolt had broken about halfway. According to my dealer, there's no way to go in through the other end - I need to tap and die it out.
Has this happened to anyone else (a question like "has any one of you married my ex-wife?)
If you were me, would you: try it yourself?
Hide my assets and disappear?
Drink one of the polishes or waxes that have just been recommended for JD plastic hood covers?
Or expect to pay - what - and where - to have it done for me.
Thanks,

 

[Ken Cunningham]

Get a left hand drill bit and a screw extractor. Center punch it and drill it, it might back out while trying to drill it.

 

[BigD9]

I can usually hand thread the blade bolt in the shaft. So using that logic I would assume the bolt is loose inside. Maybe a shot of penetrating oil and then do as Ken suggested and hope for the best.

I found that the bolt had broken about halfway

I an assuming here that you are seeing the bolt remains down in the shaft, correct? Is any of the bolt sticking out? Another idea is just to buy a new shaft. Have you priced this option? You don't need the entire hub assembly, but just the shaft.


Good luck

 

[Grasmere10]

Many thanks to you both. Yes, the bolt is broken well under the top of the shaft. The dealer said it was no simple matter to replace the shaft - maybe he was sizing me up, not the job. And penetrating oil by itself didn't budge the thing.
So tomorrow Amazon is delivering a set of Irwin left-hand drill bits and screw extractors to me - and I will let you know how it goes.

 

[davkir]

It's hard to tell, but from the picture it looks like the broken bolt is pretty close to the surface.
Sometimes you can take a die grinder with a small cut off disc that is worn down to a small dia. and cut a slot in the end of the broken bolt and remove it with a screwdriver bit.

 

[mfreund]

Left handed bits and it very well could walk out as you are drilling. I have done it many times and my Mac left twist bits are the best $ I ever spent!!!

 

[will v]

Just make sure you use a center punch first in the dead center of the bolt and then use the left hand drill bits/extractors.

If you get it off center or cockeyed a bit it can lead to some issues. Ask me how I know!

 

[Grasmere10]

I'm sure I missed the dead center, but nonetheless the second drill bit did indeed walk out the bolt. Thanks to all again.

 

[RWEST]

YES!!!

 

[mfreund]

Congratulations !!