HELP!-Broke bolt off in head
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
HELP!-Broke bolt off in head I was using that cheap *** tool to compress the valve spring that uses a water pump bolt, socket, and washer and the damn bolt snaped off in the rocker arm bolt hole (on #5). It is flush with the hole and I cant fit my drill back there to tap it for removal. 
What sould I do? Even when I could get the drill back there the bolt is so hard that its just making the bit slip off and hit the head.
Please let me know what to do. Thanks.
What sould I do? Even when I could get the drill back there the bolt is so hard that its just making the bit slip off and hit the head.
Please let me know what to do. Thanks.
You can try to use a ***** punch and make a good base for the drill to start at. Or pull the head and do it on a bench, or have a machine shop do it.
I know how you feel, I snapped a bolt flush doing a spring swap with the heads for my vette, but I had the heads off the car.
I know how you feel, I snapped a bolt flush doing a spring swap with the heads for my vette, but I had the heads off the car.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Use a dremmel with a cutoff wheel on it, slice a thin groove in the top of the bolt (you'll also cut a bit of the head, but thats fine as long as you dont cut much of it), then use a stubby flathead screwdriver in the groove to unscrew the leftover bolt portion.
Originally Posted by jmX
Use a dremmel with a cutoff wheel on it, slice a thin groove in the top of the bolt (you'll also cut a bit of the head, but thats fine as long as you dont cut much of it), then use a stubby flathead screwdriver in the groove to unscrew the leftover bolt portion.
I broke 2 bolts flush when changing springs with the autozone tool. I took both of them out with a drill and an easy out. The bolts I used though, I had bought at the hardware store just for changing the springs.
Last edited by 01_SuperSlow; Apr 12, 2004 at 03:08 AM.
Don't be lazy. Take head off. Center punch it and use a easy out. It should come out easy. All the tension is off of the bolt. Take your time, it should be easy. Good luck.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
This is why a stud should be used instead of factory bolts you have lying around.
A high tensile stud, grade 8 bolt, washer = no problems and it's only $25 shipped from Larry.
Just take the head off. Do it right the first time.
A high tensile stud, grade 8 bolt, washer = no problems and it's only $25 shipped from Larry.
Just take the head off. Do it right the first time.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
I would remove the head and try an easy-out. (Short cuts always cause problems)
One other alternative would be to use an air angle drill like the ones sold at Harbor Freight Co. I would say this is risky and you probably will have to remove the head anyway...
Head removal is not hard; just take it one step at a time...
I suppose the alternative would be to only use seven cylinders...??
One other alternative would be to use an air angle drill like the ones sold at Harbor Freight Co. I would say this is risky and you probably will have to remove the head anyway...
Head removal is not hard; just take it one step at a time...
I suppose the alternative would be to only use seven cylinders...??
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Originally Posted by jmX
Use a dremmel with a cutoff wheel on it, slice a thin groove in the top of the bolt (you'll also cut a bit of the head, but thats fine as long as you dont cut much of it), then use a stubby flathead screwdriver in the groove to unscrew the leftover bolt portion.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Originally Posted by c5blkvette
simple answer ...use a grade-8 bolt not some cheap-*** bolt from your local hardware store.
Originally Posted by Revelation222
Well in hind sight I would have to say you are right. However the instructions for the tool stated to use a water pump bolt. I guess they should amend those, heh.
I would NOT use them for this tool. This is why Larry's tool comes with a high tensile strength stud.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Originally Posted by Revelation222
That a great idea. I'll give that a shot.
Thank you so much, jmX. That dremel idea worked perfectly. Barely touched the head at all. You da man.
