Gents,
I'm swapping out a set of V&H SideShots for a Thunderheader and when I got the old pipes off, I noticed that one of the lower bearing housing bolts was broken off (most likely, previous owner did it while installing the V&H and never dealt with it).

The bolt appears to be "hollow" so I'm not sure if I should try a left-handed bit or an easy-out?

I've never tried either method, but I'd love to hear what you guys think?

Thanks for your help!

 

It looks like the PO did a poor job of drilling the broken bolt. It is not centered very well but at least he did not drill into the housing.
You can try and easy out but I bet it has already been tried.
If you use any heat it's going to be bad for the black finish.
Can you tell if the hole goes all the way through the bolt?

 

Thanks TStround! Yeah, upon a closer look, it appears the PO tried to drill or use an easy-out - and to make matters worse, he didnt do a good job of centering the drill/easy-out.

Its hard to tell, but it looks like the hole goes almost to the end of original bolt or to the actual case.

 

If the housing doesn`t leak don`t mess with it.

 

Thanks for input/perspective hvac gaspiping! Perhaps that was the approach of the previous guy, because the case isn't leaking?

 

Yeah,as long as you don't need that hole,just leave it there.

 

Thanks HD Bob...I'm starting to lean that way. Its just sooo maddening to have that broken bolt there - mocking me!