Subnostr

Being an engineer is more than designing parts. Most of the time it is learning little tricks to help save a part.

I learned one of those tips yesterday.

A mechanic broke a bolt while trying to remove a part from an engine. The shop gave us this solution to remove the bolt.

1️⃣ If you have exposed thread, attach the same size nut to the broken bolt. If not, just temporarily secure it to the broken bolt.

2️⃣ MIG or TIG weld the nut to the broken bolt. Puddle weld to fill the hole in the nut.

3️⃣ Let the nut cool and then remove the nut and broken bolt with a socket wrench.

This has the potential to save a part from a very costly overhaul.

Let me know in the comments if you have ever used this method.

#grownostr #engineernostr

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If you have an exposed thread why not just use pliers to grip the broken bolt, unscrew it, and replace with a new bolt?

Usually, there isn’t enough thread to grab onto. If you can then yes. In our case it was stuck. Like really stuck.

Cheers!

I've been using this method for years.

(Especially on broken exhaust studs/bolts.)

It's saved quite a few aluminum heads.

The only drawback is that it cannot help much with a cross-threaded fastener.

Awesome, thanks for your response! The people I talked to have also been using on engines with better success than so called easy outs.

We are trying it out on a jet engine part. With a 1 million dollar rebuild fee!

It’s a new method to me! Hope it works.

Cheers!

Good luck. It certainly takes a little practice but it's worth the time, and it's far preferable to that rebuild fee.