I put a Kilby steering box skid on my LJ, and the next day I went out to retighten the bolts, and I had just gotten in a fight with my dad. Well I was tighening the bolt on the side of the steering box next to the drivers side front tire and I hear this loud pop! I took the bolt out and I spit it in half, and half of the bolt is still in there. How do I get this bolt out? I have a replacement so I need to get the old half out and get the new one in. Any suggestions?

Yes I know it was stupid.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AlexKansasLJ,

Did the top of the bolt snap off or only half of the bolt snapped? Take a picture as a reminder when too much is too much.
I have done this a few times, the best way is to get a dril, a couple of drill bits and put the smallest one straight down the center, then widen the hole until the bolt collapses from the inside.

OR
if you have a welder and a nut, put the nut on top of where it split and weld the inside of the nut to the bolt then just back it out.

Yeah I won't forget this. I'll probably go drill on it and see what I can get done. Thanks for the advice.

Not a problem, pick up a set of dental tools while your at it, it makes picking the threads easier.

Yesterday I was working on the teams rowing trailer and this screw wasn't turning (flat head screwdriver), so I came eye level with it to see why and the pressure of turning it made the driver slip out of the slot and went straight towards my eye. I have an inch long cut right below where my eye lids meet only millimeters away from my eyeball. Fell on my a$$ bleeding everywhere this morning it was almost swollen shut. Lesson learned dont look at it so dang close without eye protection.

Ow I'll definitely put the goggles thata re always laying around when I'm drilling on this darn bolt. Thanks for the help.

If you booger up the threads while drilling out the bolt, there's a product called helicoil that can save it. You basically drill it one size larger, thread it with the included tap, screw in a spring type deal that replaces the old threads, and it's back to factory size threads. This repair is stronger than original usually.

Good luck,
Mark

WHOAH, I never new that squid. There are so many things on my old ambulance and a few on the jeep that I have boogered up. Definately remember that.

Well three days later I have three destroyed drill bits, bleeding hands, and a shredded bolt. I got the bolt out around 3:30 today. I am going to do my best to never let myself do this again. This was the biggest PITA I have run into on my Jeep, so far. I'm sure there will be more mistakes, but I'm going to avoid these.

PS: Thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure where to even start.

Man, I have had that happen in soo many places if not on my jeep then my old ambulance im restoring, and my dads old tractors. Its even worse on the ambulance, I had it happen on the block where the manifold goes. Lonnng day on that, sometimes you just dont think while your wrenching and out of nowhere it will happen. But, at least you got it off and done. Good work!

Oh man it was a relief when I was done. I didn't even think of that happeneing while I was putting the bolt back in then it just snaped. Oh well, thanks again.

for future info: there is actually something designed to removed headless bolts. You drill out the center of the bolt and insert a tool that has a head like a drill bit only reverse threaded. this will grip the bolt and can then be removed. you want to use wd40 or some other penetrant to loosen the bolt. if you apply too much pressure you'll break the head off of the tool. it's a delicate process, but can save alot of extra work. also, you should make a slight indentation with a tap in the center of the bolt to ensure a straight drill.

Are you talking about these?

Its funny cause I have a tool that you can use to back out screws and bolts that have gone bad but i never think about using it when it happens until its out.

Yes. They're commonly called "screw extractors". Drilling one hole & using one of these is alot faster than using successively larger bits until the bolt collapses. This is especially true for higher grade bolts. If you had to get a #8 out that way you'd be going through quite a few drill bits. Of course, if you managed to snap a #8 by hand, you've earned some pretty good bragging rights!

And heed TJChuck's warning: don't reef on these things or you'll snap them too. You need to use a little finesse, ya know?

One last note: screw extractors are not the item to cheap out on. Don't buy cheap ones or you will be sorry.

BlackJack