broken tower speaker bolt

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

On my way back from Labor day weekend this year somehow between home and OKC one of the bolts that hold my rev 10 on the tower broke. It unfortunately broke off inside the tower and I cant get it out. I don't want to have to drill it out completely and rethread a bigger bolt size but its looking like that may be my only option unless you guys can come up with something.014.jpg

[ddutcher]

Go to your local hardware store and get a set of easy out bits. I have had a lot of success getting broken bolts out with them.

[EricU]

I agree with the easy outs, get a couple of different styles and a lot of the small drill bits and take your time. Spray the bolt with penetrating oil first and let soak in.

[Wakeman22]

Sears sells a kit that the drill bit drills in a counterclockwise direction. This sometimes will grab the bolt and back it out as you drill. If not then when the hole is complete and easy out will work.

[chpthril]

Sears sells a kit that the drill bit drills in a counterclockwise direction. This sometimes will grab the bolt and back it out as you drill. If not then when the hole is complete and easy out will work.

+1 on the left-hand drill bit. Was that the grade-8 bolt that comes with the speakers or a stainless? Stainless is so soft, that an easy-out will often not bit. Hopefully, the threaded portion is not frozen in there.

[IDBoating]

+2 on the reverse-thread drill bits, and -1000 on the EZOuts. This is only my own experience, but I've tried EZOuts many times on many different problems and never, ever had them work. As in NEVER. I think the threads have to be in pristine condition or else the EZOut just can't bite hard enough to do anything.

But the reverse drills work great. Get one that is same size as the shaft on the inside of the threaded area of the bolt, so you maximize the surface area that the drill can "bite" into (and minimize the risk of snapping the bit). Squirt penetrating oil as recommended above, let it sit, repeat, and then go REALLY SLOWLY with the reverse bit. Remember the goal is that the drill bit bites into the bolt, NOT that it drills in and removes material. Betcha it comes out and you'll be good to go.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

Awesome I wouldn't have thought of the reverse drill. To answer your question chp it is the bolts that came with the mounts.

[EricU]

...and -1000 on the EZOuts. This is only my own experience, but I've tried EZOuts many times on many different problems and never, ever had them work. As in NEVER. I think the threads have to be in pristine condition or else the EZOut just can't bite hard enough to do anything...

I disagree on the use of EZ Outs (that is, I do like them), I have used them for many years on many projects, the hardest part for me is drilling the proper size hole without breaking a bit. The reverse bits also are worth trying.

Don't forget a bottom tap to clean the threads when you are done.

Good luck!

[IDBoating]

I disagree on the use of EZ Outs (that is, I do like them), I have used them for many years on many projects

I've heard the same from others. Maybe I'm using them wrong (hard to imagine how you'd do it wrong, though). Glad they work for you.

[Wakeman22]

I have used easy outs for 40 years. 80% of the time they work. I find that you need to tap them in tight to get a better grip. Now when the bolt is just stuck in they may not work. I have also found that stating with a small hole first and slowly going bigger helps sometimes as well as going up in size till the bolt threads come out in one piece. Try the reverse drill first they are handy to have.

[boardman74]

I am not a fan of the traditional easy outs. They work 50% of the time on good bolts(grade 8 or above). The left handed drill bits work if something isn't in hard. If it is forget it with them. There is also a skill to using them.

What I prefer from years as a Caterpillar heavy equipment mechanic is one of 2 methods. First weld a nut to the top of the broken bolt(plunge weld inside the nut) and then turn it out. Sometimes it breaks the nut off a time or even 2 but almost always works. The second type is the pound in style removal tools. The style you drill a hole all the way thru the bolt and pound a ribbed shaft into the hole. You then slide a collar on the shaft and turn it out with a socket or wrench. They are expensive, but almost 100%. I prefer the snap on brand ones like this..
http://store.snapon.com/Combination-...--P630634.aspx

[IDBoating]

Haven't seen those pound-in extractors before but they look great. I wonder how well they work on high-grade steel bolts, though, whether the ribs can deform the bolt metal enough to bite in. And I bet they're a "use once and replace" deal... even if you could get the bolt off, the splines would likely be rather damaged, yes?

[Wakeman22]

Haven't seen those pound-in extractors before but they look great. I wonder how well they work on high-grade steel bolts, though, whether the ribs can deform the bolt metal enough to bite in. And I bet they're a "use once and replace" deal... even if you could get the bolt off, the splines would likely be rather damaged, yes?

I have used those with various results. I have re-used them too. I am not sure how they work on a hardened bolt. I am sure I used them on one before though. I have easy outs that cover a range from very small up to 3/4 inch for pipes. I have also used the welded nut technique too.

[boardman74]

@WA. They work great on hardened bolts. Caterpillar used grade 8 or better on all their machines. The ribs do deform some, but they still have plenty of bite. When you get the broken bolt out you simply put it in a vise and use a straight punch to pound the insert out. They will work a number of times, but will eventually need replaced when damaged.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

Well I'm screwed now. We had easy outs here at the shop where I work so I decided to try them first and now I have a broken easy out inside the bolt. I should have just gotten a reverse drill bit to start . Those easy outs are hard to drill so I now made it a lot tougher on myself. Maybe I 'll just get rid of the boat lol jk