Uh oh...snapped three tension rod bracket bolts

[asoomal]

Hey guys, so here's the story. I was taking off the tension rod brackets by undoing the bigger 6 bolts. They were rusted to s***, but still went ahead. Anyways, I snapped 3 of the 4 bolts that connect the bracket to the rad support, managed to get out one.

Driver Side:



Passenger Side:



Oh and here's my driver side bracket. Too much caster FTL







Probably explains the snapping noises when I turn the wheel.

Anyways, how do I get those bolts out now? Use an extractor? These bolts are pretty much seized in, managed to move them only a little bit.

[baron_harkkonen]

get a left handed drill bit, and some oil of wintergreen. put aprox 3 drops of oil, let stand for about 30 min. start w/ left handed drill bit, it should 'catch' the bolt and undo it. if that doesn't work, get a regular bit and go to town, rethread afterwards.

[asoomal]

What if I hit it with an air hammer? Would that loosen it up too?

[mrgreeneyes]

PB Blaster (infinite amounts) and HEAT.

gooooood luck homie. 240 owners worst nightmare

[MR.chris]

Yea PB blaster and easy out.

[13esp13]

what i would try is easy out...but i do recommend pb blaster...drill them out is the best way to fix it, the bolts are torqued and are at least 12 years old theyre going no where IMO.

[billyinse]

i had to do this recently ...pb blaster over1 days just spray it occasionaly...then hit it with map gas had torch and either ues an extractor ....or drill it out and rethread the hole..

[asoomal]

Extractors are a f***ing joke. That is all.

[Frankenfourty]

^^^I agree. I have broken many. Torch ftw.

[asoomal]

It didn't break on me, just didn't do its job. I tried to heat it, but it caught on fire under the rad, between the rad support. Sucked putting it out.

[asoomal]

So for the past week, I've been going at it, using heat, PB blaster, etc. It just won't budge

And the extractors aren't doing it as well, they're seized in there.

Is the rad support welded or bolted on? Cause I think I'm just gonna get a new one.

[eidk]

THey are spot welded in. Not fun. It will be in your best interest to continue to just try to get them out.

Carbide drill bits. in sequence from small as possible to the biggest you can fit in there.

Your best best is to keep drilling out the center of the broken bolt to try to make the sides as thin as possible or to the point where you plain drill it out and will have to retap for a larger bolt.

Trust me those options are much cheaper and less time consuming then replacing the core support. good luck man