Two snapped bolts jammed in drive shaft!!!!

[our bus 68]

I've found that I have two snapped bolts into the drive shaft behind the rear wheel. Started to try to drill them out but they don't seem to want to move. A bit worried that I might damage the threads for bolting the cv joint on to. I was going to continue drilling hoping they will move or fall away. Any ideas please?

 

[Dickie524]

If you get the drill properly central and go just smaller than the inner diameter of the treads, then you should be able to pull out the remainder of the snapped thread as a 'spiral'.

In the past I have had a friend turn me a hollow piece of bar to use as a guide / collar to ensure I get the drill centred in the remnant of the snapped-off bolt.

But even if you d manage to damage the thread there's always heli-coils - basically an oversize tap which you wind a spring-like coil into which gets you back to the original size...

Or just chuck it and fit a new CV...?

 

[our bus 68]

Thanks for that. Will give that a go

 

[Happystamps]

Ewf, that's the stub shaft, isn't it.

Mr. Dickie is right, but it's a bit fiddly to drill 'em absolutely central and not damage the female threads. I'd be tempted to take the stub shaft out and take it to a garage, get someone with a drill press to do it for you. Just because I wouldn't much fancy sitting under the van trying to keep the drill parallel & centre to that hole- After all summer's on it's way, you could be out of the shade having a beer.

 

[Dickie524]

Agreed, now you're this far it'd be much easier to pull it out and sort it on the bench..

 

[our bus 68]

Thanks guys will do that. Certainly ready for the beers got the dreaded MOT looming! :shock:

 

[user 20815]

Totally agree but if you do decide to have a go start with the smallest drill bit you can and work your way up. You have more room for error then and by the time you get close to the thread you will have heated and cooled the stud more times and it's more likely to move. Good luck.

 

[slow-lane-Matt]

I've not used these myself, but would if in your situation. You essentially drill a hole, screw/tap one of these in. It works by being an anti-clockwise thread, so it screws in tight, and you keep turning in same direction and should undo the broken bolt...

Can't do any more damage, and gotta be worth a try for the price....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-EXPERT-45856-SCHRODER-5-PIECE-SCREW-EXTRACTOR-SET-BOLT-STUD-REMOVER-/161086176779?hash=item25817bfe0b:m:mN2iPNROgegnGoB73IyDL7w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;