Hi Chris,
Someone probably put in a "stove bolt" as we call them here. It's
kind of a generic term for the mild steel bolts found in most hardware
stores.
I didn't see your first post, so I don't know where this bolt is
located on the car. I'll presume it's on the engine somewhere - maybe
the thermostat area? - that you can apply heat to where it's screwed
in. First apply lots of penetrating oil (I expect you've done that),
tap the end of the bolt from side to side a few times to loosen it up,
get on it with your locking pliers, heat the area where the bolt is
screwed in, with a torch, whilst applying torque to the bolt. This has
usually worked for me. YMMV.
CR
Chris Rose wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> Finally managed to get to my car to try and remove the bit of bolt remaining
> after most of it snapped off. Several of you offered some advice a while back
> about this one.
>
> However, I have a real problem!!
>
> The bolt itself is made of quite soft metal......so soft, infact that its not
> been possible to get anything to clamp on firmly enough to be able to turn the
> thing; even filing down either side of the bolt to make a flat surface doesn't
> help.
>
> The advice about making a slot in the top and trying to treat the broken bolt
> as a screw and simply unscrew it also does not work for the same reason, as
> soon as I twist the screwdriver, the metal just breaks off.
>
> I've still got loads of bolt sticking out of the hole, but I wonder, if the
> metal is so soft, whether or not its worth trying to cut the bolt lower down
> and try and drill out the bit that remains?
>
> It just seems really strange that this bolt is so soft, I can understand
> entirely now why it broke in the first place! Is it normal for these things to
> be made of 'soft' metal, or could the years finally be catching up with it??
> In which case, should I consider removing the other two bolts and replacing
> them incase they break as well???
>
> Sorry to have just questions for the list, its just that the English summer
> lasts about 2 weeks, and I'm really worried I'll get her back on the road just
> in time for her to fill with water during torrential rain! :(
>
> Any further advice much appreciated.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Chris
>
> 63 B still off the road :(
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