How do I use an easy-out?

[Kurt B]

With the engine escapade, I do have one sheered motormount. How do I get that bolt out using an easyout, or what is the best method for getting it out?


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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[D911_MEE]

Kurt, i would not recommend using an easy out, chances are that you will snap easy out and then be really in a mess!

Best way to remove snapped bolt is to drill out existing and then re cut tread.

This is not for the faint hearted / in experienced, however if your first time i would take it to a shop or experienced mech.



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mike 87 coupe'

[Rot 911]

The easiest thing to say is "don't use an easy out" half the time it breaks off and then you really have a problem. However, sometimes you just have to. Fortunately, you have a fairly good size bolt to work with. The most important thing with the easy out is to use the biggest one you can and drill as much out of the center of the bolt as you can. I use a "reverse" drill bit. You can get them at Sears. It is made to drill counter-clockwise. Get several moving up from small to large. Don't get too small or it will break off in the bolt too. Many times just using these drill bits will work the bolt out. Next get a steel punch. Mark the center of the bolt carefully. Make a dimple in the bolt with the punch so the drill bit doesn't dance around on the head of the bolt. Make sure you drill deep enough for the easy out, but not so deep you go thru the end of the bolt. Use cutting oil while drilling. Good luck.

[Early_S_Man]

Kurt,

A reverse-twist set of drill bits is your best bet ... start small, 1/8", and progressively go bigger ... the broken bolt will probably back right out with the bit! Of course, you DO HAVE TO USE A REVERSIBLE DRILL, switched to the reverse direction!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

[john walker's workshop]

the most important thing in removing any broken bolt with an easyout is to drill the pilot hole DEAD CENTER. then don't twist the easyout so much that it breaks. listen to that voice telling you that's hard enough. with a spiral easyout, the more you hammer it in and the harder you twist it, the more it expands the broken bolt, making it harder to get out. use the biggest one you can. those mount bolts should come out easily, as opposed to exhaust studs which hardly ever come out.

[Kurt B]

Okay, I got a set of bits that are reverse threaded...sort of cone shaped. I assume that is what you're talking about(pep boys, designed for this purpose). They have a size list for which bit to use. Hopefully, this won't be too painful!

I like warren reminding me to set the drill to reverse direction too! Hahaha...in my case warren, no advice is too trivial!


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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[Rot 911]

Kurt B what you purchased are the easy outs! Reverse drill bits look just like a regular drill bit except they are made to drill counter clockwise.

Kurt V
72 911E

[Kurt B]

Okay thanks Kurt. Thanks guys...I'll let you know how this goes. There is no substitute for taking your time, and like Walker points out, use your intuition and gut feel for applying too much force! Time, time time...


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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[Ted Stringer]

Unluckily (is that a word) I had the pleasure of breaking about 4 bolts (3 exhaust manifold on my truck, Crankshaft pulley bolt on the p-car) last month. I was able to borrow a set of easy-outs from my father and successfully removed all of the bolts without much problem (no broke easy-outs). The best kind of easy-out to get is the ones that look like a reversed screw. To use it you just drill the middle of the bolt, and then run it in like a left-hand screw. No hammering, just be gentle and they will grip the piece and bring them out. Here is a not very good picture them (It came from the snap-on website, I don?t know about copyright info).





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Ted Stringer
nuke3@juno.com
'84 911 Targa aka pocketrocket

[This message has been edited by Ted Stringer (edited 06-18-2001).]

[Planter91C2]

let me add, in my experience the name of those things is deceiving. also, they break very easily, so stop before you intuitively think it will break.

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Daryl 964 Targa

[Superman]

Here's my two cents. Those arrowhead-shaped screw extractors ("easyouts") in the photograph, though they may be Snap-Ons, are not my favorite. My favorites are also sold off the Snap-On truck, a set of 8 for UNDER $30! They do not look like arrowheads though. They look more like little oil draim plugs. They also work on a reverse, spiral bit action, but they are superior, in my experience, to the more pointed ones, and they are not expensive.

I also strongly suggest the reverse drill bit thing and, like Warren, will not be surprised if the fastener backs out while using the drill bits. Remember, drilling an existing hole otu to a larger diameter will involve some 'catching' and 'bucking.' That is, the bit will want to bind in the old hole.

Finally, and most importantly, take as long as possible to do this job. If you feel stressed or hurried, watch a baseball game or make love. Then return to the project when you can go SLOWLY and CAREFULLY.

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'83 SC