Broken posi pin retaining bolt -- fixes?

[KendallF]

A buddy of mine was removing his axles and the retaining bolt for the center section pin broke when he tried to remove it. Anybody done this and have some suggestions on how to remove it easily?

Thanks!

 

[blueta]

You mean the bolt on the cross shaft that holds the axels in? Hmmm, I would try an easy out if you can fit one in there. Not sure if that's possible though.

 

[Nick Micale]

When I had a retainer bolt break, I used a BFH and "persuaded" the pin to come out.

If it was not out in a field, would have tried to remove the broken end of the bolt with a reverse drill or???

 

[humberto]

Might have to drill into thr bolt then use extracter for the drill size.You might have to use a little heat on it but be careful.Goodluck not a fun job.Last time the happened to me i was lucky to get it out with a magnet it broke where there were no threads.

 

[71RSZ28]

I haven't tried it, but Matco makes a removal kit just for this scenario: http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2255&page=2&#31289

It's on page 2, part no DPK1

 

[Wicked]

Use a small magnet or a pick that is magnetized. It will pull right out , I have done at least ten brocken shaft bolts that snapped.
Every one of them came out easy. Just install a new one good as new.

 

[Slow91z]

When I stripped the retainer bolt on mine I welded a socket to it and then pulled it right out with a ratchet...Probably won't help you much , but it's an idea.

 

[11.20n1320]

Kendal, I drill a hole in a allen head set screw , all the way through, then screw it in to the carrier. Next use the drill bit that you drilled through the set screw with , using it as a drill guide to drill the broken bolt out. When you have a hole in the broken bolt you can use a pocket screwdriver to back it out. A long drill bit will be needed for clearence.A lathe will help in drilling the set screw, I know you have access to one!!
David Day

 

[Wicked]

When these shaft bolts snap they break after the threads. All that
is left is the smooth end of the bolt no threads. Easy outs have nothing to turn, the rest will pull right out with a magnet, its that easy.

 

[steve hughes]

Kendall, if it's broke off flush or just below the surface take a cut off wheel on a die grinder or a dremel and cut a slot in the end of it. Then use a small screw driver to turn it out.

 

[KendallF]

Thank you all for the excellent suggestions! We'll try it this weekend and report back. Of course, I am supposed to be putting a motor together, and working on an intake, and making a CNC sign for another friend's new shop, and...

 

[John Larkin]

Someone's BTDT.....

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48865&highlight=easyout

 

[KendallF]

Thanks John..guess I should've thought of searching for "easyout"!

 

[machinegun]

It depends on where broken. I have had them break inside the pin which some moving with a good magnet will help. Some if broken in the threads I punch drill a small hole and use an easy out which will usually work like a charm. Hope this helps. This is actually not an uncommon problem.

 

[1badTTA]

You guys are lucky, last time that bolt/pin broke for me I was driving down the road and the whole rearend locked up and destroyed the carrier. It was a Mopar 9 1/4" rearend.

Good thing it broke in the garage!!!

 

[KendallF]

Well, that was easy! We got lucky and it broke just past the last thread. After some fiddling around to find a magnet small enough to go in the hole, I was able to pull the bolt end right out. We pulled the axles, popped the old studs out, and put the new long studs in, and reinstalled the axles in just about an hour.

We should've taken pics of the stud installation..it looked like a redneck cartoon. Procedure: insert all 5 studs, tap lightly to seat. Place socket and greased washers over stud. Have dumb buddy (me) hold 4 foot chunk of 1x2 between two studs and against the wall to hold axle. Use ratchet with 3 foot piece of copper pipe as a makeshift breaker bar to draw studs into the flange. Cuss. Repeat.

 

[DCVING 6]

I know this is a an old thread, but I just broke mine.

How do you use an easy out or anything else? Theres no freaking room to work in there. I couldn't even get a socket in there to try and get the thing out in the first place.

 

[DCVING 6]

PLEASE DISREGUARD THE LAST POST!!

Why didn't anyone tell me you could pop the car in neutral and rotate the rear end until the retaining bolt is easily accessable? When I tried to take mine out, the pin was straight up and down! I had a swivel head and extensions just to get the darn thing out. Ended up breaking it anyways.

 

[hotrodgary]

removing broken bolts/studs

You can try the magnet approach, but the stub is usually "DOWN" in the hole. Try a scriber to turn counterclockwise. Next, beg, borrow or buy a vibrating etcher. They come both electric and pneumatic. Again, try to move in a counterclockwise motion. At work, the vibration has shown to work better than punches and hammers over the years., Don't forget to use plenty of penetrating oil AND compressed air. Good luck ! signed , " a former toolmaker".

 

[Ormand]

I think they always break. Should not go into the axle without a spare bolt, otherwise you will have to make the trip while the car sits and waits...