How do you extract worn Bolts?
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
How do you extract worn Bolts?
Hi
I am replacing old zinc bolts on my 2000 RKC and replacing with chrome kit. I have a Torx bolt on the derby cover that has sheared...how would i remove that .
I am replacing old zinc bolts on my 2000 RKC and replacing with chrome kit. I have a Torx bolt on the derby cover that has sheared...how would i remove that .
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 2
From: North Lima, Ohio
Use lots of PB Blaster. Leave it on over night to penetrate. You might be able to get it out by drilling a small hole down the center and using easyout bolt extractors or worst case would be drilling out and tetapping the threads or use helicoil. I know those are small bolts so easyout might not be an option. My kit has some small easyouts in it.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 54
From: Ohio River Valley
If it is sheared, you might have to drill it out. If there is something left to grab onto, you might be able to turn it out.
When the head of the bolt on my fender strut was stripped, I did the following:
1. Pray. (I did this throughout this process.)
2. Spray it with PB Blaster and give it an hour or so of contact time.
3. Try to get a set of vice grips on it, and give it a little turn. (At this point, you might be home free, but if you are not...
4. Find a drill bit that is harder than the bolt you are trying to remove and half the diameter. CAREFULLY drill through the center of the bolt. Don't let any filings fall someplace you don't want them or can't retrieve them.
5. Use an EZ-OUT bit to extract the bolt. You can also run a screw into the hole you just drilled with opposite threads.
I hope this works. I know how frustrating it is.
When the head of the bolt on my fender strut was stripped, I did the following:
1. Pray. (I did this throughout this process.)
2. Spray it with PB Blaster and give it an hour or so of contact time.
3. Try to get a set of vice grips on it, and give it a little turn. (At this point, you might be home free, but if you are not...
4. Find a drill bit that is harder than the bolt you are trying to remove and half the diameter. CAREFULLY drill through the center of the bolt. Don't let any filings fall someplace you don't want them or can't retrieve them.
5. Use an EZ-OUT bit to extract the bolt. You can also run a screw into the hole you just drilled with opposite threads.
I hope this works. I know how frustrating it is.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: NC
+1 using the EZ_OUT!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Be really careful with an "easy-out" on a bolt that small...if you break it, you just opened a whole new can of worms. That bolt is not in a blind hole...so I would drill through it with a small drill bit...then a would drill though it with a slightly larger bit...more than likely the bigger bit will "catch" and screw the remaining piece out.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
As you can see...depends on if the derby cover's still on, or off. My guess is it's still on bike w/torx center stripped. If this is the case = easy fix is to drill center (bit size tad larger than screw) and get cover off. Then extract threads w/pliers or visegrip.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Before you do any drilling try a few things. Get a flat punch that completely covers the head and give it a few good taps with a hammer. A lot of times that will unseize a bolt. If you have spline drive sockets (or a friend has some), tap one of those in there. They grab pretty good.
When you say "Sheared", did the head already spin off? If so, Take out the other 4 torx bolts so you can get the derby cover out of your way. If you can't grab the end of the broken bolt then grind the broken end flat with a dremel. It's easier to center a punch that way. Using "easy-outs" that are that small usually just break off before you get the bolt to turn. You may end up just drilling a hole slightly smaller than the thread size. Using a tap sometimes you get lucky and the tap unscrews the old remains of the bolt right out the backside without damaging the threads. good luck.
Another trick I learned many years ago is to smear "valve grinding compound" on a spline drive or square drive socket head that you are tapping into a buggered head. It helps the bit "bite" into the damaged head better. Of course if you find a friend who HAS valve grinding compound you may as well drag him over to look at your situation. If a guy has that in his box, chances are he also has the auto/motorcycle experience to deal with any broken or stripped bolts you can throw at him, Lol.
When you say "Sheared", did the head already spin off? If so, Take out the other 4 torx bolts so you can get the derby cover out of your way. If you can't grab the end of the broken bolt then grind the broken end flat with a dremel. It's easier to center a punch that way. Using "easy-outs" that are that small usually just break off before you get the bolt to turn. You may end up just drilling a hole slightly smaller than the thread size. Using a tap sometimes you get lucky and the tap unscrews the old remains of the bolt right out the backside without damaging the threads. good luck.
Another trick I learned many years ago is to smear "valve grinding compound" on a spline drive or square drive socket head that you are tapping into a buggered head. It helps the bit "bite" into the damaged head better. Of course if you find a friend who HAS valve grinding compound you may as well drag him over to look at your situation. If a guy has that in his box, chances are he also has the auto/motorcycle experience to deal with any broken or stripped bolts you can throw at him, Lol.
Last edited by BikerV; Mar 4, 2012 at 08:21 AM.