Today I was taking the skidplate off of my rear differential to clean some crude out of it and both of the 1/4 inch rear bolts snapped. They are both snapped about 1/8 inch inside the holes, so there is no way I can take a pair of visegrips to try and twist them out. There is one other bolt that holds the skidplate on, but that isnt enough to hold it on securely. So unless I can get these bolts out and replace them, I have no way of keeping my skidplate on and I'm not dumb enough to ride my trails with a differential skidplate.

So does anybody have any idea how I can get the two bolts out???[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

You can go to the hardware and purchase an EASY OUT or you could DRILL out the broken piece of screw that is still there and buy a TAP and re-thread the same hole..Tell your local hardware guy what you did,he'll know what to sell you.

 

Easy out-definitely.

 

What are Easy-Outs? If they are anything like those stupid Craftsman easy-out things for stripped screws that never work?

 

They look like a drill bit, but are "threaded" the opposite direction. Once they bite into the broken bolt, they dig in farther, each time you crank on them, counter-clockwise. Trust us, they work.

 

Guess I'll have to go bug my neighbor and see if he has one. If that doesnt work I know I've got a set of taps somewhere. I just really don't want to have to drill it out and then tap it.

 

i did the same thing with a screw that held the airbox to the subframe. what i did was drill the screw so it has a little ridge then slowly get it out with a screwdriver. hope this helps....

 

About the easy outs. That is the way to go. You are right in some ezo outs stink, snap on makes excellent ones. They are stubbier and less tapered making them so much stronger and giving you a much better chance. A tip for you, 1st soak those snapped off bolts with PB Blaster, comes in a spray can available at Autozones everywhere. Also soak that remaining bolt. Soak for a good hour. Then tap them 1st with a hammer and punch. You could very possibly break that adhesion factor and then you will have a much better chance with the ez out. SOme ez outs are all square in profile but I like the professional tool dealer brands the best. Snap On or Mac. Don't go for basice any brand name stuff.

 

My grandpa found his set of easy-outs down in the shop so I guess I'll have to give them a try tomorrow if he has one small enough. Most of the stuff he works on is John Deere or Cat, so I'm doubting he has anything small enough for my little Suzuki.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the help guys. I got the bolts out. Turns out I didn't even need the easy-outs. When I was drilling the holes for some reason instead of pulling the bit straight out like I usually do figured I would reverse the drill and that ended up pulling the bolts out.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]