roguejk

well i was installing skyjackers rear track bar relo. brkt and their rear track bar bracket brace which ties into the top 3 bolts to the diff cover. the center top bolt that came with the brace (3 in total which are longer) i was screwing it in and it got tight and was not seated so i just kept tightening and snap half of it is in the diff. my queston is can that bolt be drilled out and the hole re-tapped?

RedneckJeep

Drilling oughtta be a last resort. If there is any of the bolt stickin out, you could try vise grips. In any event, the best idea will be to remove the cover, so you can access the bolt better. If it's broken flush, or below the surface, someone who is GOOD with a MIG or TIG welder can get it out VERY easily. All they need to do is build up some weld on the bolt to get it at or just above the surface and then MIG or TIG another bolt on the end then screw it out. If I had a nickle for every one I've done, I'd be rich.

mdantonio

Hi! Sorry about your misfortune. A very simple tool that works well is an "easy-out". You drill a hole in the center of the broken bolt and thread this into the hole. It has a "reverse twist" so it digs into the bolt and lossens (sp) it and backs it out. I carry a set of these in the Jeep with hopes that I won't need them but they are there if I (or someone else) may. Good luck... Mike

RedneckJeep

A word to the wise about the ease out. If the bolt is anything more than snug, the ease out will cause the bolt to expand whats left of the bolt and cause it to sieze in the bolt hole usually breaking the ease out off. You think you got trouble now. Break off an ease out, and see how hard THAT is to drill through.

Tank

make sure that you put all the washers on when you do put it back together

greenmachine07

i agree. i like the weld idea better. plus anything called easyout cant be all that easy

Rhino64

Easy-outs work. center punch the broken bolt use a small drill bit to start . Then use a larger one and then the easy out. You should be fine, just take your time. Be sure to purchase a quality easy out are you might brake it off in the bolt.

RedneckJeep

Absolutely...they have their place. I wasn't trying to condem the idea altogether. It may even be possible to tap the bolt lightly with a hammer and punch and back it out. Probably not, but maybe. I have had it happen. I have also been successful with ease outs.....and not so successful. When I discovered the mig/tig idea, I never looked back and have been doing it that way ever since.

Rhino64

A punch works well if it's not to tight, but sounds like this ones set pretty solid. However I would try that first. Could get lucky.

jeep08ham

I agree about the eas E outs. Some are better than others. Do not get ones that have a lot of left had threads on them.

Another option that has worked well for me has been to use left hand fluted drill bits. These turn and cut going counterclockwise! Have had lots of bolts come right out with them.

Wishing you well!