Now I went and done it

[Chugbug]

Need HELP. Decided today to change out the hydro fluid on my BX25, everything was going well until I put the filter back in and tightened the bolt in.........never guess what happened bolt head broke off Any suggestions???? Is there anything I can do, besides take it back to the dealer and get charged an arm an a leg. As I said in earlier posts I'm not overtly mechanical but I figured I would give it a shot. Easy enough, fun as a matter of fact until that **$*$& filter bolt. I didn't overtighten as least I don't think so . Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[bp fick]

I am missing something here. What bolt?

The HST filter on the BX has no bolt, particular to it. The strainer has a head on it. Help us out here. Photo's, if any, are helpful.

 

[Chugbug]

LOL, Like I said, no mechanical skills......I was talking about the strainer not the filter sorry

 

[bp fick]

Ouch, that had to hurt!! I assume you honked on it pretty good? Does it now leak?

 

[CHDinCT]

You can remove the broken bolt with something called an easy out. It's a special bit that goes in your drill with reverse threads. I assume you did not replace the oil? You will need to drill a pilot hole in the broken bolt for the easy out bit to get a bite on the bolt. Use a bit rated for steel or hardened steel about the size of the easy out bit, or a bit smaller. Drill the hole in the broken bolt about 1/8" or so deep, maybe 1/4", the put the easy out into the drill and put the drill in reverse. Put the easy out into the pilot hole and slowly give it some juice and it should come out pretty easy. Go buy a new one and then don't over tighten it when you torque it down. :laughing:

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

+1 on the easy-out.

I've never used an easy-out in a drill. Mine usually have a square head suitable for a wrench or one of those handle + chuck manual thingies.

That aside, use the biggest easy-out that will fit in the broken piece without requiring an initial drill that might endanger the surrounding threads. Maybe a little penetrating oil on the threads, too.

One other thing: those easy-outs are harder than Chinese algebra. If you break one off in the bolt, it will likely be there forever. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Z.

 

[whistlepig]

I have had more bad experiences than good with easy-outs. I take a cold chisel or sharpened punch and a 5 pound hand sledge and start beating things counter clockwise. Sounds crude but works most of the time.

 

[manganos]

I had a bad exp with an easy out last week on my Subaru. Ended up snapping it and I had to cut the sheet metal away and attack the bolt from the top. Now I need to weld everything back. PITA.

Next time I'll pay someone to mess it up.

 

[crbr]

When you get the new part ready to go in, put anti-seize compound on the threads. Next time it will come out much easier. When I did my first change at 50 hours, there was not one sliver of metal.

The EZ-Out is worth a try. I have had some good luck and some not so good with the EZ-Out. It would be my guess that, that is the first thing a shop would try.

 

[buck12]

If you can add a picture you will likley get better advice. Don't feel too bad see the thread I just added.

 

[thetooth]

If you are not mechanically inclined pay the piper and take it to a dealer or a experienced mechanic friend . You and your wallet will be better off in the end .

 

[Willl]

Any amount at all left sticking out ?

 

[wdchyd]

If you are not mechanically inclined pay the piper and take it to a dealer or a experienced mechanic friend . You and your wallet will be better off in the end .

Very Good Advice...:thumbsup:...seen lots of broken studs go from bad to worse.....then it will cost much more......

 

[JoelD]

I am another who's had limited success with easy out

Worth a try but don't crank on it super hard as once broken then no fun and use tons of pb blaster to try to improve your odds

I tend to resort to drilling out and then retapping for new bolt

Good luck
Joel

 

[Willl]

Doubt the bolt bottomed out so it should be sitting there 'loose'.

Depending on where exactly it broke, you might be able to just back it out with a small tool like a small screw driver, pen knife or something.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have listened to this "drill a pilot hole & use an easy out" stuff for a long time.

1. In my experience, the broken end of the bolt will be jagged and rough, so the drill will want to wander. Either get a Dremel Tool and make a small divot right in the center of the bolt, so the drill will not wander, or forget the whole thing.

2. Get a set of left-hand drills. Mine were about $25-35 and go in 1/16 increments from 1/8" to 1/2". Often just drilling a hole with a left hand drill will back the bolt out and the job is done.

3. There are two kinds of easy-outs in this world, the left hand spiral ones, and the ones with a sort of tapered square cross section. They were not created equal, the tapered square ones are vastly superior. Gently tap the correct size one into the hole with a small hammer, until the corners of the square bite.

4. There was a recent thread on penetrating oils. The clear winner was a 50-50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid. I had occasion to try it last week and this stuff is like the secret of the pyramids. mix it up in an old tin can and apply with a small paint brush. Wait an hour and it will help you a lot.

 

[repete]

I have a set of left hand bits as well just for that purpose and I agree that sometimes there is enough resistance to spin it out with the bit alone and no easyout.

 

[hawkeye08]

I've had good luck with easy outs, just have to make sure the hole is done properly, start with a sharp center punch and small drill bit to get things going. From there, progress to larger bits until you can get an easy out of proper size in. Patience is the key...

Did you break the bolt tightening it? If so, then I doubt penetrating oil will help, it probably broke because it was overtightened, not stuck.

Good luck.

 

[wdchyd]

it probably broke because it was overtightened, not stuck.

Good luck.

This should make it easier as the head of the bolt was putting all the pressure on the housing.....with the head gone it may be looser than you think ......

 

[doall]

I love lefty drill bits. The ones with the ease out on the shaft. Drill until ease out hits the bolt and it will turn out. If it doesn't turn out before the ease out hits. I have had to resort to the hammer and chisel before also. If enough bolt is exposed you could weld a nut on it.