semlin
curmudgeon
need some advice on drilling and tapping if anyone can help.
i have three nasty broken rusted bolt stubs in my frame after taking off my tow hitch. I tried a drill out on one and there is no way. the rust is ridiculous and a little scary. It is so bad I am not sure I can use my tow hitch again because the mounting holes on the hitch have just rusted away.
I think I have to drill these out and re-tap. The question is how to do this. I have never drilled out a bolt before and these are pretty big (i think at least 12mm) and extend inside the frame beyond the captive nut probably a good ½" at least. I can see it taking hours. Is it just a matter of using gradually larger drill bits or is there some way to get the remnants of the bolt out once you get a big enough hole? also, am I at risk of breaking the weld on the captive nuts inside the frame?
also,
What kind of drill bit is best?
is it worth getting a cheap tap and die set to tap out a new bolt? I can pick one up for $50 or should I just go to a shop and get them to do it.
thanks for any help
i have three nasty broken rusted bolt stubs in my frame after taking off my tow hitch. I tried a drill out on one and there is no way. the rust is ridiculous and a little scary. It is so bad I am not sure I can use my tow hitch again because the mounting holes on the hitch have just rusted away.
I think I have to drill these out and re-tap. The question is how to do this. I have never drilled out a bolt before and these are pretty big (i think at least 12mm) and extend inside the frame beyond the captive nut probably a good ½" at least. I can see it taking hours. Is it just a matter of using gradually larger drill bits or is there some way to get the remnants of the bolt out once you get a big enough hole? also, am I at risk of breaking the weld on the captive nuts inside the frame?
also,
What kind of drill bit is best?
is it worth getting a cheap tap and die set to tap out a new bolt? I can pick one up for $50 or should I just go to a shop and get them to do it.
thanks for any help