Broke torx bit into torx bolt.. what to do?! HELP!!

Broke torx bit into torx bolt.. what to do?! HELP!!

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Discussion

zoba786

Original Poster:

14 posts

62 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Basically I need help ASAP. I was going to change the drivers seat on my Mk4 Astra and needed to remove a T40 torx bolt which held the seatbelt bracket. I ended up snapping the torx bit trying to remove the tight bolt and now the top half of the torx bit is stuck in bolt. Any ideas on how to get it out etc??? Cheers




BOBTEE

1,034 posts

163 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all


You might need to tap it with a hammer to loosen things up smile

Pica-Pica

13,621 posts

83 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
The broken bit is still twisted in there. Use a hammer and punch to knock it back to an easier position.

You may need an Easy-out something like this.
https://uk.farnell.com/duratool/d00163/screw-extra...

It has a left hand thread, and is useful for extracting right hand threaded screws. That may ease the torx back into straighter splines. Or may actually undo the torx screw itself. I can’t say I have ever had a torx bit break off. Was it a decent quality?

Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 14th January 10:52

Philv8s

545 posts

123 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Use a small drill bit (2-3mm) and drill the centre of the bit and use a terminal driver to lever the broken torx bit out.

geeks

9,121 posts

138 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Tap with a hammer to loosen it then remove with a magnet. As it is a seat bolt, it is likely to be corroded underneath the car, get under there and clean all the thread you can see, squirt it with some WD40 (other sprays are available) then with a fresh torx bit, give it a small amount of effort to tighten it, then loosen, then tighten, basically work it back and forth until it winds out easily.

That or borrow an impact driver wink

Greg the Fish

1,410 posts

65 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Spray some deodorant liberally and very close to it, the 'freezing' effect should be enough to allow it to be tapped out then use pliers to extract.

InitialDave

11,854 posts

118 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
I'd try a strong magnet first, or gluing something to it to pull it out.

Drilling it and using an extractor should definitely work, but it's more involved, so I'd try a simpler approach first.

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Greg the Fish said:
Spray some deodorant liberally and very close to it, the 'freezing' effect should be enough to allow it to be tapped out then use pliers to extract.
Very Interesting, have you used this technique much? Cannot wait for an opportunity to try this out smile

zoba786

Original Poster:

14 posts

62 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
BOBTEE said:


You might need to tap it with a hammer to loosen things up smile
Unfortunately haven't got any magnets that I think will be strong enough :'(

Ltd Slipper

27 posts

72 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Try sticking something like plasticene on to it to pull the broken bit out of the bolt . I would normally use the black putty sealer stuff used in body shops but can’t remember name of it but it’s similar .

InitialDave

11,854 posts

118 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
jas xjr said:
Very Interesting, have you used this technique much? Cannot wait for an opportunity to try this out smile
The "air duster" cans for computer cleaning, or the propellant for airsoft guns or small airbrushes are good for this if used upside down, they're basically small cans of aircon refrigerant.

Pica-Pica

13,621 posts

83 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Is it loose? Will long-nosed pliers work? Or two nails/pins?

zoba786

Original Poster:

14 posts

62 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Pica-Pica said:
The broken bit is still twisted in there. Use a hammer and punch to knock it back to an easier position.

You may need an Easy-out something like this. It has a left hand thread, and is useful for extracting right hand threaded screws. That may ease the torx back into straighter splines. Or may actually undo the torx screw itself. I can’t say I have ever had a torx bit break off. Was it a decent quality?
Well I think its crap Chinese stuff. Its a toolkit I bought from eBay for like £25 so probs why it snapped. Weird thing is Ive loosened and tightened this exact bolt with this exact bit many times before.. but today the b*****d decided to snap.. oh well thats lesson learned.. don't buy cheap crappy tools!!

zoba786

Original Poster:

14 posts

62 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Pica-Pica said:
Is it loose? Will long-nosed pliers work? Or two nails/pins?
Nope lodged in there tight it seems and Pliers won't work cos its snapped on there flush with the bolt..

Edited by zoba786 on Monday 14th January 11:08

zoba786

Original Poster:

14 posts

62 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
jas xjr said:
Very Interesting, have you used this technique much? Cannot wait for an opportunity to try this out smile
The "air duster" cans for computer cleaning, or the propellant for airsoft guns or small airbrushes are good for this if used upside down, they're basically small cans of aircon refrigerant.
Funnily enough ive got an airduster.. hmm worth a try?

deltashad

6,731 posts

196 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Pica-Pica said:
Is it loose? Will long-nosed pliers work? Or two nails/pins?
Sewing needles/pins? Or put the car upside down and shake it.

zoba786

Original Poster:

14 posts

62 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
deltashad said:
Pica-Pica said:
Is it loose? Will long-nosed pliers work? Or two nails/pins?
Sewing needles/pins? Or put the car upside down and shake it.
Lemme ask if the HULKs about wink

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
The "air duster" cans for computer cleaning, or the propellant for airsoft guns or small airbrushes are good for this if used upside down, they're basically small cans of aircon refrigerant.
Every day is a school day smile I can relax now that I have learned something today smile

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
Philv8s said:
Use a small drill bit (2-3mm) and drill the centre of the bit and use a terminal driver to lever the broken torx bit out.
I was fitting a shower screen last week. I broke at least 5 drill bits drilling the frame. Avoid cheap shower screens and cheap drill bits

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Monday 14th January 2019
quotequote all
zoba786 said:
Basically I need help ASAP. I was going to change the drivers seat on my Mk4 Astra and needed to remove a T40 torx bolt which held the seatbelt bracket. I ended up snapping the torx bit trying to remove the tight bolt and now the top half of the torx bit is stuck in bolt. Any ideas on how to get it out etc??? Cheers



Scrap the car and buy a new one.

It's the modern way. smile