I have a 97 Civic DX.
The head of the bolt that holds the radiator bracket to the frame looks like it sheared off sometime in the past, leaving the body of the bolt in the support. It also looks like the previous owner tried to use a cheap easy out/bolt-extractor to remove the remains of the rusted bolt.

In doing so the bolt extractor also snapped off leaving a piece of itself embedded in hole. it's been that way since we owned it and frankly I'm tired of looking at it.

My question is if anyone knows of a drill bit strong enough to drill out this piece of bolt extractor. Nothing I have is up to the task.

Lemme know if you need pics.

 

i have some cobalt drill bit's from snap-on they work really well but it would be easyer to just remove the grill and cut the nut off from below then ethier weld on a new nut or just use a nut and bolt (i did the second one i will eventually weld it on just have taken the time)

 

Don't know why I didn't think to remove the grill and go at it that way. But I'll look into investing in some Cobalt bits as I have a couple of sheared off bolts that need attending to on my own car.

 

Not knowing exactly which bolt it is, can you get a pair of vice grips on the back side of the bolt and turn it that way? After Kroiling/PB Blasting the hell out of it first though.

 

If its harden steel, I would use a carbide drill bit. Nothing else will touch it if it's been hardened.

 

So Carbide over cobalt bits?

 

That plus oil to help lube the drill bit from over heating .

 

Cobalt is a brand name sold by Lowes.

 

Drill it first and then use this.

 

I don't think you understand. The cheap bit extractor is what is broken off into the hole ON TOP of the broken bolt it was supposed to remove.

 

Got it.

 

Can you take a pic?

Use a carbide drill bit, first then get another ez out in the new hole.

Basically drilling into the old ez out bit.

 

Depending on what it looks like, drill out the easyout/bit extractor with a carbide drill (use rapid tap cutting oil) , and if you can get your hands on a left-Hand drill bit set or try your luck with another easy-out. I've never had luck with easy-outs but some people have.

 

Well, I've got a weekend project. I'll update this post with success/fail pics.

 

just cut the nut off take about 10 seconds with a grinder

 

carbide drill bits are strong enough fir the job i bet

 

Be sure to drill straight in. Putting torque on a drill bit in the wrong direction (pushing down on it for instance) can cause it to snap and you'll be SOL if you get a carbide bit stuck in there.

 

they make left handed drill bits that cut while the drill is in reverse. these are usually used for this type of situation. the theory is that while cutting in reverse it may grab the bolt and loosen it. Also not for getting that extractor out. It's next to impossible, best solution is to weld a nut on top of the damaged area and then break loose.

http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/vie...hp?f=1&t=12621

read this guys post... oh wait that's me... good info

 

Have a set they work great all though quite expensive.

 

is there enough of the extractor sticking out of the bolt to grab it with vice grips?

 

Nope.

 

I prefer the square easy-outs than the twisted kind. I've broken way to many twisted ease-outs. Also note if you drill all the way through the broken bolt it usually takes off a lot of the tension

 

i had my radiator bolt snap off as well i just drilled a big enough hole to just put my own nut and bolt on it. drilling out those harden steel extractors is gonna be a PITA. if try to drill it out and make sure u use oil to cool and keep the bit from burning up quickly eventually im sure it will drill through after a few bits.

 

We'll see how it goes this weekend when I get some spare time.

 

Well did the weekend do you justice? did you get the chance to work on that broken bolt?