I know its a LAME ? about hand tools

[scottgoood]

Can somebody tell me the correct way to use an "easy-out" ?
I need to remove a brass male thread that is broken off in a upper coolant water jacket. (where the top radiator hose clamps on the motor). I'm not sure what the jacket is made of. thanks
ps if you think thats a lame question, what do you say to an idiot that can't find a place to hook a tow strap on the front of a chevy lumina, so he opens the hood and wraps the strap around the front of the support member that you use to get at the rear set of plugs ? (it pulls the motor back)

[CraigFL]

An Easy out is essentially a reverse thread tapered bolt. You drill a pilot hole in the broken off stud/bolt and screw in the easy out(It tightens turning it the opposite way because it has left hand threads). So while you are tightening the easy out, you are twisting the broken bolt in the loosening direction. Hopefully, the increasing torque while you are tightening the easy out against the taper is greater than the torque required to break the broken bolt loose.

Now for your problem.... Try the easy out but be aware the brass is soft and the taper of the easy out may expand the brass and not allow you to loosen it especially if it's corroded. You may have to use some heat from a torch to help or resort to more drastic measures.

[RandomTask]

Are you sure that bolt is made out of brass? I've never heard of a auto manufacturing company using brass bolts for the reason that they gall easily and are not that strong. Also, I believe brass to be a more expensive most steels. I would imagine the bolt to be grade 5 tops. Grade 8, i doubt it. But the water neck should either be made out of cast aluminum or cast steel.

By the support member, are you talking about the torque strut? Just curious. Good luck.