Question about removing broken bolts...

[DriDed]

Hi, I was switching out car batteries today on my Solara:

As I was tigtening one of the bolts that tightens the battery tie-down, the bolt broke off. The broken part is stuck in the hole.

Should I use a drill to drill it out?
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Edit: here is a picture of the problem

[DriDed]

I read up on something called "easy out" drill bits, should I try that?

[JavaJoe_2]

1st "center" punch (in the center of the bolt with a drill punch) the broken bolt. Then start off with the smallest bit you have and go up from there, until you can get the easy-out started, try that way first. Whatever you do don't turn too hard with the easy-out and break it off in the drilled hole. The easy-out is hardened and brittle and nearly impossible to drill through.
If that doesn't work, keep going with the drill bits until you get to almost the size of the bolt. Many times it will have loosened up by then and just turn out. Use some PB Blaster or any penetrating oil.
GO SLOW and good luck. It shouldn't be too hard, but go slow.

[DriDed]

1st "center" punch (in the center of the bolt with a drill punch) the broken bolt. Then start off with the smallest bit you have and go up from there, until you can get the easy-out started, try that way first. Whatever you do don't turn too hard with the easy-out and break it off in the drilled hole. The easy-out is hardened and brittle and nearly impossible to drill through.
If that doesn't work, keep going with the drill bits until you get to almost the size of the bolt. Many times it will have loosened up by then and just turn out. Use some PB Blaster or any penetrating oil.
GO SLOW and good luck. It shouldn't be too hard, but go slow.

Thanks, I will try that.

[Black Bob]

Sounds like JavaJoe is also learned in the 'art of too much oomph!'. I personally have a whole bag of screw extractor drill bits always in my toolbox. (Do not insert joke there. )

[JavaJoe_2]

Yes, but I live in the Salt Capital...Wisconsin. Everything rusts!!
That's why Silverlicious in parked for the winter. But, it looks like it starting to warm up here.

[Midias]

Center punch very important. Second I like to use left handed drill bits from Harbor Freight sometimes then even spin out the bolt while I am drilling it.

[System_Crash]

I personally have never had luck with the screw-out by craftsman or the Gra-bit, but it looks like you're only option unless you are skilled enough to weld a smaller bolt onto the head and remove it that way....

[gnegroni]

I personally have never had luck with the screw-out by craftsman or the Gra-bit, but it looks like you're only option unless you are skilled enough to weld a smaller bolt onto the head and remove it that way....

Never thought of that...good thinking!

[youngblood]

I personally have never had luck with the screw-out by craftsman or the Gra-bit, but it looks like you're only option unless you are skilled enough to weld a smaller bolt onto the head and remove it that way....

Never thought of that...good thinking!

Great technique. Sometimes you just need to build up a small weld bead on the exposed portion of the broken bolt until you can grab it with vice grips or grind a slot for a screw driver.

The extreme heat from the welding process will usually help break loose the broken bolt.