Removing a broken bolt in transmission?

[Dumc87]

I've tried the easy-outs and can't seem to get them to grab two broken screw bodies that hold my transmission fluid pan to the trans itself

Anyone here have a super secret clever way of getting two of those out?

I tried drilling straight through, but my set of drill bits combined with my 18v Milwaukee impact driver didn't seem to do anything either.

Before I go off and break something, figured I'd see what you clever fellas would do lol

 

[Donald]

Buy a kit (Irwin maybe) that has left hand drill bits and ez-outs.

 

[Dumc87]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Buy a kit (Irwin maybe) that has left hand drill bits and ez-outs.


I've always had good luck with Irwin, but some others haven't.

The easy-outs I have now worked for me a few times, but won't even knick these bolts.

Also have to take out a sway bar bolt on my Jeep now that I think about it

 

[andyd]

Not a big fan of EZ outs. I start with a 1/8 bit and work up until all that is left are the threads. Center punch a good dimple, use sharp bits and lots of oil. Let the drill do the work. 18V drill drill is clumsy , I would rather use a 3/8 corded drill.

 

[Dumc87]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Not a big fan of EZ outs. I start with a 1/8 bit and work up until all that is left are the threads. Center punch a good dimple, use sharp bits and lots of oil. Let the drill do the work. 18V drill drill is clumsy , I would rather use a 3/8 corded drill.


Ah! Think my dad has an old Craftsman corded drill. I'd have to dig it up, but totally forgot about that ol' reliable thing he has.

Good excuse to get some new drill bits though

 

[Brybo86]

Drilling upside down will be tricky to keep oil on it.
Drill as slow as possible with a new bit.
If it heats up your bit is shot

 

[Dumc87]

Originally Posted By: Brybo86
Drilling upside down will be tricky to keep oil on it.
Drill as slow as possible with a new bit.
If it heats up your bit is shot


Being upside with my drill bit in my 18v was getting nowhere fast LOL

They are tiny bolts though, so I figure if I can just get something to catch or drive into them, I should be able to back them out easy enough.

 

[andyd]

I bought a set of LH bits a yr ago. I used them the other day trying to remove a piece of 12mm bolt from a J nut that holds a bed bolt on the Rat. It didn't relieve the bolt until I ran a 3/8 bit 1/2 way through. I think the Vise Grips were Irwins. Even using another pair to tighten the screw on them they slipped until the 3/8 broke the torque. I've been drilling out the rivets that hold the cross members onto the frame rails My brother taught me how to sharpen drill bits on a bench grinder. I had a drill in 4 drills. I started with a HF 3/16 gold bit. Then a 1/4, 3/8 and a 1/2. Also a pump oil can. I have a fruit cake tin full of a lifetime's worth of found bits. I sharpened several bits well enough so that I didn't snap them. Like anything else, the more you do something, the better you get at it.

 

[Rand]

Start with a tiny drill bit does not need to be LH thread.

Drill in with a lube such as wd40 or atf I'd prefer something aerosol.

Once you get in pretty far to through start stepping up the drills. A LH threaded one might twist it right out eventually.

Make sure to drill straight.

If you need to purchase new drill bits.

 

[GMBoy]

Other options if EZ outs don't work:

1. Cut a slit in the head, then use a flathead screwdriver or bit in your drill to remove
2. Weld another nut to the end of the rounded head and remove it
3. Hit the head on 2 sides with a chisel to lift it a little...then vise grips can grab it & turn
4. Try a "universal" socket...these are the ones with splines and they grab rounded fasteners pretty well.
5. Beat a 12 point socket onto it with a hammer, maybe a different but close size SAE socket (if the head is metric) and then slowly remove.

 

[Lubener]

If there is a hole at the opposite end of the bolt head, where it goes thru the case,, you can spray some PB blaster in there and allow it to soak. Then try the e-z outs or bolt removal.

 

[dlundblad]

http://www.tooltopia.com/irwin-hanson-vise-grip-11135.aspx

This should work.

It should work for your sway bar too.

 

[Dumc87]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
http://www.tooltopia.com/irwin-hanson-vise-grip-11135.aspx

This should work.

It should work for your sway bar too.


Definitely a nice kit!

I was able to drill into the bolts, but sadly one of them wasn't center, so now I have a nice figure 8 on one of the holes. Thinking of running a heli-coil through the hole I need to use.

I got too frustrated to fiddle with the other broken bolt. I bought a Dewalt tap-drill combination bit and an Irwin spiral screw extractor kit on the way to work I hope will help me out when I try again tomorrow morning.