while swapping out sway bar bushings, a bolt decided it couldn't hang on any longer and is no stuck in my frame. PB blaster is on it now but vice grips and channel locks are not turning it. Is the only option to drill it out?
Sway Bar broken bolt help (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Rolocado
- Start date
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DirtDawg
"It'd be alot cooler if you did"
Most likely. TB removal will clearly be required.
A tip for future bolts: if you feel them start to seize, tighten them back up, and loosen again. Usually repeating this process with some penetrating oil will get most stubborn bolts out.
A tip for future bolts: if you feel them start to seize, tighten them back up, and loosen again. Usually repeating this process with some penetrating oil will get most stubborn bolts out.
- Thread starter
- #3
Is there a certain kind of bit that is more effective?
You don't need to remove the torsion bar.
The part sticking out is not where the threads are, they are in a welded-on nut on the top of the frame.
You can't drill it out, the threads aren't anywhere near the bottom, you will just be wasting your time. Probably not going to get anywhere with vice grips either, since the exposed threads are rusted away. This bolt almost always rusts to junk because the AC drain drips on it.
Take a hard chisel (NOT a wood chisel - use a hardened one made for metal). Knock the welded-on nut off the TOP of the frame. Stick a little mirror up there and you will see what you have to do. A couple whacks with a big hammer and it will let go, it is just tack welded on. Then replace with a new lock nut.
Trust me, this is the easiest way. Literally a 5 minute fix.
The part sticking out is not where the threads are, they are in a welded-on nut on the top of the frame.
You can't drill it out, the threads aren't anywhere near the bottom, you will just be wasting your time. Probably not going to get anywhere with vice grips either, since the exposed threads are rusted away. This bolt almost always rusts to junk because the AC drain drips on it.
Take a hard chisel (NOT a wood chisel - use a hardened one made for metal). Knock the welded-on nut off the TOP of the frame. Stick a little mirror up there and you will see what you have to do. A couple whacks with a big hammer and it will let go, it is just tack welded on. Then replace with a new lock nut.
Trust me, this is the easiest way. Literally a 5 minute fix.
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DirtDawg
"It'd be alot cooler if you did"
Just use high quality metal bits, shouldn't really matter what type. Plenty of cutting oil. Toyota bolts are pretty easy to drill through... unless you break a bit off in them 
And it is totally drill-outable. Just drill out the center, use an extractor bit and it should come out. I had one break off on me in the same place and used the above method when I was replacing my TBs. the above method would work, I just prefer keeping it original.
And it is totally drill-outable. Just drill out the center, use an extractor bit and it should come out. I had one break off on me in the same place and used the above method when I was replacing my TBs. the above method would work, I just prefer keeping it original.
Just use high quality metal bits, shouldn't really matter what type. Plenty of cutting oil. Toyota bolts are pretty easy to drill through... unless you break a bit off in them
And it is totally drill-outable. Just drill out the center, use an extractor bit and it should come out. I had one break off on me in the same place and used the above method when I was replacing my TBs. the above method would work, I just prefer keeping it original.
Did you replace it when the TB was out? The problem is, you can't get to it on center with a drill bit with the TB in place.
- Thread starter
- #7
I have a decent angle on it with the TB in, but it's not 100% straight on
Would an angle drill fit? Maybe tool loaner program or a cheap Harbor Freight job.
DirtDawg
"It'd be alot cooler if you did"
Yes.
Honestly I can remove the TBs in 15 mins or less, so it doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. Remove TB, drill it out straight on, extract the rest of the bolt, chase the threads, and put new hardware in.
X2 on this
jemsec
Mach lll Club
Brute force can be a dangerous thing.
Clutchee
I'm fun sized!
Look for a set of left handed drill bits, center punch the broken bolt.
Then very slowly drill a hole in center of broken bolt. Then switch to the easy out that matches that set and start turning it out, this is point to go slow and see if it turns or stops.
Then very slowly drill a hole in center of broken bolt. Then switch to the easy out that matches that set and start turning it out, this is point to go slow and see if it turns or stops.
A torch might help loosen it up a little as well.
- Thread starter
- #14
I took the TB out so now I'm just going to drill the stupid thing out. Ughhhh I thought it was going to be a short job
- Thread starter
- #15
Alright I drilled through the puppy, I don't have an easy out but though... other options?
- Thread starter
- #17
The remnants. What a pain.
I'd like to thank my family, Home Depot, Milwaukee.
I'd like to thank my family, Home Depot, Milwaukee.
- Thread starter
- #18
My threads are even in perfect shape. I cannot say the same about my shoulder though
