NOR-MARtm Enterprises RESTORATION TIPS

REMOVING RUSTED BROKEN BOLTS

PROBLEM:  Bolt broke off while trying to remove it, or, you got in a hurry and cut it off.  We've all been there and done that.

SOLUTION:
1.  If the bolt is still sticking out enough to get a pair of vise grips on it, it's not to bad.  Soak it with NUT BUSTER Penetrating Oil, allow it to sit for awhile, then try turning it out.  Heating will help, but you cannot always use heat due to the fact the area around it may be flammable.
2.  If the bolt is flush with the surface:  Soak it down with NUT BUSTER Penetrating Oil, then using a left handed drill bit, drill out the center of the bolt.  Once you have drilled completely through the bolt, use your screw extractor to remove it.  You can also use NUT BUSTER as a coolant for the drill bit while drilling.

Left Handed Drill Bits are great!  In some cases the screw will actually unscrew itself while drilling.  This is because you are using the drill in reverse.  I don't know how many drill bits and drill extractors I've broken trying to get a broken screw out over the years.  Using the method above, I was able to drill out three 3/8" x 1/2" screws and remove them in about 30 to 40 minutes.  You must be careful not to use to much speed on the drill.  Use approximately 300 to 400 RPM's while drilling.  Trying to use high speeds will ruin the drill bit.  By using a very low speed when you start and applying only light pressure to the drill, you will be able to start the hole without the bit walking off the screw.

Left Handed Drill Bits are available in better auto parts stores and hardware stores.  If you ask at the big box type stores for these they may look at you like you have two heads.  In fact in looking for mine, a clerk at Sears thought I was joking.

SUBMITTED BY:  R.B. of Lilburn, GA

Another way to for removing a broken bolt from aluminum castings.  If the bolt is broken off flush with surface or slightly above it, clean the top of the broken bolt and the surrounding area with a wire brush and make sure it doesn't have any oil left on it.  Place a nut the same size as the broken off bolt, directly over the broken off bolt.  Have someone hold it securely in place.  Then using a mig welder (I have used a stick welder on larger nuts) with the wire extended far enough to touch the top of the broken off bolt.  Now began welding the nut to the top of the broken off bolt.  Be sure to start the weld on top of the bolt building up to the nut.  You now have a new bolt.  Now while it's still hot, use a wrench and remove the bolt.  This can be used on steel and cast iron as well, but always use a smaller nut on top of the bolt so you don't weld the nut to the casting.

PROBLEM:  There's just not enough time to work on the Old Car.

SOLUTION:  Set a day or 1/2 day aside each weekend.  Then set aside 1 or 2 hours two or three days during the week after work.  You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just these few short hours each week.  By the end of each week, you'll start to see progress.  Seeing this progress will spur you on, to keep up this schedule.  It may not be the same hours each week, as we all have things that come up.  Even so, if you maintain the momentum, before you know it the car will start to take shape
.

© NOR-MARTM Enterprises 1999