So I was out today, fitting my new strutbrace, and nothing can wrong with that right? So simple even your mum could do it right? right?

um.....

.....so I went to unscrew the bolts so I could attatch it, they were a bit rusty but all came out ok. Accept one. Which somehow snapped halfway out - what the fccuk!

I cant think of any way whatsoever to get this out now, as it snapped flush to the hole, so there is nothing to really get any grip on. Anyone got any ideas at all? Has anyone even does this before?

Also does this mean I now have a problem with the strutbrace? Ive attached it with the remaining three bolts, but would an amount of stress cause the single bolt to got the same way as its stupid rusty brother?? Also, that bolt was obviously doing a job without a strutbrace attached, should I be a bit concerned now?

Gahh! This ones really got me stumped.... Ive got a pic of the bolt if anyone wants a laugh....

go on....lets see it you silly moo!

lobster you need an easy-out, take a drill to the middle of the remaining bolt 3mm and drill a hole. Dont cheap crrap drill. This may in itself get it out. Then try an easy out you will prb need 5 mm hole to do this. The thread is exposed in the arch so gets coved in mud get your arm up there to the top mount clean with wire brush wd40 and exlbow grease!!

rich

The snag is that you either have to take the bonnet off or the strut off to get the remains of the bolt, unless you have a right-angle drill and a very steady hand...

This happened to me, and unfortunately while I was trying to drill the old bolt out the welds on the captive nut broke... which solved the problem anyway, quick trip to the box with all the old nuts and bolts in, and now it's bolted in with a new nut underneath. It's just not captive, but that's no problem.

Neil

....this all sounds very complicated, and full of plenty more opportunities for me to feck things up. Hurrah!

I'll post a link to the pic in a bit.

So firstly I need a cordless drill (damn you old skool Black and decker, and damn you street parking!).....

LOL!!!!!

Just for you coupecraig, and yes, it is very messy thanks:



ker-snap!

I would use a punch first on it just slightly so it provides you some grip when drilling into if that makes sense

Yeah, cheers Kev. Never had to do this before so I've just been googleing easyout etc.

Not the impossibility I intially thought, though still a pain

centre punch the centre of the bolt, drill it out ~(not too big) then use a extractor to screw it out.

Soak it in Plusgas, and every bolt you take out in future.

The snag with that particular bolt is that it gets covered with crud from the wheel, and the bit that sticks out gets rusty... then that jams in the nut as you unwind it

Neil

Barnacle speaks from experience

And now I speak from experience...



....so are you saying Barnacle that this wont very easlily, er, easyout? I'd say a quarter of it came out before it snapped - so its kinda on its way, which should help? Its the front one, so in my head Im thinking there is enough clearance between it and the bonnet to get the drill in, but if thats the one you mangled Im guessing theres not?

From that picture i would say its stuck in the top mount. The easiest way i personally think your going to be able to rectify it is by taking your front shock off, so you can take the top mount out and do whatever you want with it

Agree with Begbie.

It's more likely to come out going *in* than *out*; one way which is not guaranteed but has worked for me in similar instances in the past is to drill as large a centred hole as possible and run a tapered tap down it; that will often start it moving.

But all this is easier with the strut off, and as I said, the nut isn't glued on all that well and if it comes off it's no great shakes.

I've found easyouts are great for snapping halfway through the job and they're way too hard to drill.

Neil

I found the drill wound them out, I think many have been here, failing that you can change the top mounts.

Sorry to hear about the hassle you're having Lobster- i'm really glad now that i'm taking the lazy option and getting Iceberg to fit mine for me on Wednesday.