Club 80-90 Forums

Whilst fitting my new towbar bought off a member on 80-90 I was almost finished and was just putting the bumper back on, when the bolt snapped into the towbar.

I thought it wasn't a problem and attempted to use my newly acquired 'easy out' which promptly snapped in the bolt.

Does anyone have any ideas what type of drill bit would drill through the easy out?

It has snapped flush so can't weld anything onto it.

This is my own doing and nothing to do with the seller of the towbar, as I'm really happy with the price and product.

Any help appreciated as I'm most annoyed with myself and stumped.

I'm no welder but you can weld a nut onto a flush snapped bolt
The nut is welded on the inside to what's left
As far as I know easy outs are hardened and so drilling is going to be difficult

I say flush but it's actually recessed by about 2mm so doubt welding is possible.

A good idea though!

itchyfeet wrote:I'm no welder but you can weld a nut onto a flush snapped bolt
The nut is welded on the inside to what's left
As far as I know easy outs are hardened and so drilling is going to be difficult

There's a good video explaining that here. The example in the video is also recessed and has a broken 'ez out' stuck in the top so it is possible, but you'll probably need to find someone with a TIG set who knows what they're doing - assuming you don't.

I tried drilling out something similar with either a tungsten or cobalt tipped bit, it didn't touch it. Try drilling around it if there is room or try breaking it into small pieces with a hammer and punch.

I tried breaking it with a hammer and punch and it did nothing.
Looks like I will be looking for someone near Bolton with the relevant welding skills.

I'm gutted because everything else went so smoothly and I was almost finished.

Easy-out / screw / stud extractors have broken every time I've used them. They're thru hardened which makes them virtually impossible to drill. The only way to get them out without welding is to spark them out, you just need to know a friendly toolmaker.

Mick.

Sorry for my ignorance but what is 'sparking them out'?

Hello,

Easy outs...and other pig tails..

These are of really hard though fragile steel..

Can't drill..

Mount piece in a solid vice..

Use a pin punch and a heavy enough hammer to smash the bit of 'easy out' through the nut..

Then re tap..

Really lock the piece in the vice..

Work safely..gloves..goggles..

(Next time run a tap down the nut threads first..)

Cordialement,

Bulldog1 wrote:Sorry for my ignorance but what is 'sparking them out'?

Not likely welding a nut on is the way forward the heat wll loosen the siezed thread

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical ... _machining" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Go to sparkys.... back of snooker place on Blackburn road he will weld a nut on and get it out for you
That's all he does is weld cars and vans

Cheers theclash.

I'll give him a call and sort it with him. Have you used him before?

spark erosion..
like welding without the rod.

Hi bulldog
Yes sparkys welded my golf and a few of my mates cars ,he's pretty reasonable he gives you a price there and then.
Go and show him and he will advise and give you a price don't be put off by his unit it's just big enough to get cars/vans in but like I say all he does is welding.
I think it's on mold street/ bk eckersley rd of Blackburn rd nr tramways