Spun Head off Bolt, need HELP!!!

Appleton · #1 01-09-2005, 04:45 PM

Hey all,

Replacing the starter on my 94 F150 and to my utter disappointment I spun the head off one of the two bolts that hold it on. It's in a tight space so I couldnt get a drill in there to try and use an extractor. I've sprayed it down with Liquid Wrench for 2 days straight now and have been trying desperately to get it off with mini vice grips but that is not working. I do not have a welder.

Any help would be more than appreciated.

MagicRat · #2 01-09-2005, 05:07 PM

Does this mean you snapped the head off, but most of the bolt shaft is still there?
It sounds as if you were able to slide the starter off the remaining bolt?
Consider yourself lucky. These things usually snap off flush with the engine block.
Sears and other places sell a socket (stud extractor) that is intended to remove broken studs. This fits over the broken bolt and you turn it with a 3/8 or half inch drive ratchet. As you increase the twisting force, these little teeth grip the broken bolt more.
You could try larger vice grips, but they are not as effective.
Otherwise, have a service garage weld a nut on to the remains of the bolt and remove it that way.

Appleton · #3 01-09-2005, 05:14 PM

Funny, I dont feel all that lucky

Yeah, the head come off and there is a stud there - sticking out about 1/2". I can't seem to fit a larger pair of Vise Grips on there good enough to get a good turn with it. I will check into Sears right away for that, much appreciated.

danny350 · #4 01-09-2005, 07:27 PM

If there's 1/2" sticking out and you can't turn it with vise grips, you aren't gonna get it out with a shitty stud exctractor.

public · #5 01-09-2005, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny350

If there's 1/2" sticking out and you can't turn it with vise grips, you aren't gonna get it out with a shitty stud exctractor.

I would tend to agree, but I would try. Sometimes I use a Dremel to make a flat spot on two opposite sides so I can get a open end wrench on there, then heat it up with a propane torch ($11 at walmart) and many times this will do it. After heating, put on the wrench and turn. If this don't work and you have the room, you can drill it down through the middle and try an "easy out" This AIN'T easy, they dont work well on stuck bolts. I am sure some of the others here will have some more great ideas. Good Luck

MagicRat · #6 01-09-2005, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny350

If there's 1/2" sticking out and you can't turn it with vise grips, you aren't gonna get it out with a shitty stud exctractor.

Nonsense.
Good stud extractors are MUCH more effective than vice grips, and 1/2 inch is plenty of stud left. But public has a good suggestion with the heat. So long as the fuel line and other flammible bits are not too close, heat the whiz out of it first.

TheSilentChamber · #7 01-09-2005, 10:59 PM

yeah bolt extractors are alot more effective than vice grips.

public · #8 01-09-2005, 11:22 PM

Yes, I forgot to say that Really Good Vise Grips=Still Suck! But I do have a couple of pair, just in case.

v10_viper · #9 01-10-2005, 12:45 AM

I dunno, you could try taking two nuts and put the first one on all the way, then the second one and tighten that one as much as you can, then go to the first one you put on there and loosen it with a wrench, since you have two nuts the first one will not turn the second one, that might work, otherwise the other ideas will work just as well...

ghostguy6 · #10 01-10-2005, 02:02 PM

If you have room, hit it with a hammer or use an automatic center punch to break the rust and corrosion loose from the bolt. Also heat is a good idea.

Appleton · #11 01-10-2005, 02:24 PM

Funny, went to Sears (and many other stores) and nobody seems to have a stud extractor. This is turning into a pain! I may have to order one online, but I will try the idea that public mentioned first, as well as ghostguy's but I cant fit a nut on there due to me screwing up the threads with Vice Grips.

Thanks guys. Any online ordering place that has a stud extractor would help!

duplox · #12 01-10-2005, 02:44 PM

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00904458000
I just got this for xmas, it might work:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00952165000

Appleton · #13 01-10-2005, 11:44 PM

Awesome, thanks!
I got an idea tonight and am going to try it also. I drilled out and tapped a 3/8" nut through the side and am going to drill the bolt from the side. Then I will thread on the nut so the holes line up, and insert a socket set screw that I have which will hopefully hold the nut on so I can get the bolt off with a socket. I guess we'll see - have to warm it up good first before I try, wish me luck!

Appleton · #14 01-11-2005, 02:57 AM

Well.....
My idea looked like it was going to work, and I got a really good leverage on the stud, but to my dismay the rest of the stud snapped off flush. I thought I was in trouble before, now I'm really p'd. Looks like I am going to have to drill it out and figure out some way of bolting this thing down...

For sale: 1994 F-150 XLT, needs starter (comes with starter!)

danny350 · #15 01-11-2005, 06:05 PM

Try drilling into it with a good left-handed drill bit, if you're lucky it will get a good bite and spin the stud out the rest of the way. Trying to drill straight, and in the perfect center of the stud will probably be a challenge though.

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