ok, I've seen a bunch of posts on people getting their broken bolts out of the block but due to a faulty torque wrench I just broke one off for my tranny pan. My concern is that debris will get into my transmission trying to remove it. I don't know what to do, I'm not a transmission guy and am not good at welding. I can't really take my transmission to a machine shop either. I'm really pissed at my brother for telling me his torque wrench works when it doesn't. Any ideas?
Torque wrenches are noted for being off at those low figures. That's why I use one that is calibrated in inch pounds instead of foot pounds. What were you torquing it to? If you take the pan off can you get a grip on it? Might be a little sticking out.
if its a pan bolt, you can drill it out and tap it without removing the pan. I'm pretty sure there is no way debris can get into the trans. there shouldn't be any welding going on... so no worries on that.
sorry, had to go out of town for a couple of days. I was torquing to 11 foot pounds (the bolt calls for 6-12 and the lowest the wrench went to was 10). none of it is exposed so I can't get a grip on it (I wish). do you think tapping it is better than using a reverse drill bit and drilling into the center of the broken bolt? I might be able to just twist it out then. anyone have any luck doing that? it looks like that and tapping might be my only options here.
It would seem wiser to take off the pan. Whatever method you try to use is gonna require you to put something into the hole and you don't really want the pain in the way. If the bolt broke off then it shouldn't be a problem removing the bolt.
...get a flat screwdriver the same size as the bolt... place it on the broken end of the bolt. apply pressure as you turn the screwdriver in a counterclockwise direction...if the bolt hasn't bottomed out, it should unscrew... i have used the drill attachment that has a collar over the screwdriver bit...using it keeps the bit on the bolt as it backs out. ...Frank...:Handshake
You could also try knocking it loose with a small SHARP chisle.Place it on the bolt and strike it so you are turning the remains an a counter clockwise fashion with the chisle and it should come loose...you can now use franks method for sure or strike a groove in the remains with the chisle, and turn it out with a flat blade screw driver...Good luck.
For stuff like oil pans, valve covers and tranny pans I was always taught to use a 1/4" ratchet and put my hand up on the head of the ratchet when I tighten. Even them don't put a lot of force into it or you'll bend the pan rail. I have used this method a long time and rarely have a leak on an oil or tranny pan. Now if it is a 5.0 oil pan with the metal backing plates I will put a bit more force into it but not much. Clint
