Seeking advice on how to extract broken lug bolts

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I'm gonna check the two welding supply places near my shop. If they have those rods, great, but I really need to get this done asap. Too much work to do that's requiring the lift.

The holes are 7/16", and aiming a mig gun that far down a hole and getting it precise just ain't gonna happen for me. If I were to attempt the tig process, I'd have to extend the tungsten quite a bit, and then squeeze filler rod in there without touching the tungsten would be damn near impossible (at least for me). I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
 
Try and keep it simple 1st. Use the correct size center punch to mark the broken bolt. If the surface of the broken bolt is too rough to center punch use the largest drill bit that will drop inside the bolt hole that is smaller than the hole thread I.D.. Use that bit to resurface the rough broken part of the stud. STOP when you have made a nice "divot" that will allow you to drill the center of the stud. This method will allow you to find the center of the broken stud without significantly damaging the outermost threads. By the looks of those holes this should not be a problem. Then use your mag drill to do what jos 7150 described. Some eazy outs are much better than others and can be used for this task. Make sure you drill all the way through the stud with you mag drill and that will increase your success rate. It will also allow you to spray penetrant thru the bolt which can penetrate back toward the broken stud head. The heat produced by drilling the stud can also help free it up and aid your removal.
 
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RustyRatRod said:
I wouldda snatched the hub off by now. LOL
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If I had the time, maybe I wouldda too.

I was working yesterday, and my shifts are 24 hours long. So I get off work in the morning, get home and feed the dogs, sleep. Then go hunting for hardware. And of course I can't find the damned transfer punch set that I *swear* I had right here just a few weeks ago. I did find my LH drill set. Unfortunately, my mag drill won't work with this setup.

I found one of my drill bushings, but it was 3/8". stay tuned.
 
The hardest part about all of this was finding the conical washer,which my forklift guy called a "thimble." I found something online at AutoZone and they were calling it a cylinder head washer. Went to my preferred parts store, which is NOT AutoZone, and they had what I needed.

Heated each bore with MAPP gas, about 30 seconds apiece, did that twice. Quick shot of penetrant and popped a transfer punch in there. Left hand drill, and they came out like butter.

I did notice one of the bolts that I removed that hadn't broken was much shorter, and that bore appeared to have been filled with a weld. I plan to remove both hubs in the future to service the brakes, so I'll address that on the drill press.

I appreciate everyone's help with this, I look forward to trying those rods someday.
 
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Righty Tighty said:
The hardest part about all of this was finding the conical washer,which my forklift guy called a "thimble." I found something online at AutoZone and they were calling it a cylinder head washer. Went to my preferred parts store, which is NOT AutoZone, and they had what I needed.

Heated each bore with MAPP gas, about 30 seconds apiece, did that twice. Quick shot of penetrant and popped a transfer punch in there. Left hand drill, and they came out like butter.

I did notice one of the bolts that I removed that hadn't broken was much shorter, and that bore appeared to have been filled with a weld. I plan to remove both hubs in the future to service the brakes, so I'll address that on the drill press.

I appreciate everyone's help with this, I look forward to trying those rods someday.
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good job righty tighty...and you didn't have to remove the hub when you didn't need to.
 
jeff alder said:
good job righty tighty...and you didn't have to remove the hub when you didn't need to.
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Thanks! I wasn't opposed to removing the hub at all, but I'm very tight on time and needed to get the lift back in service as soon as I could. I'll take it off when I have some more time, because I really need to look at the brakes.
 
If you are going to drill use a carbide burr to grind a center divot so you can drill down the middle.
 
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