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Broken Bolt/bolt extractor


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jhigg1981
New User

Sep 14, 2014, 10:00 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1661 views)
Broken Bolt/bolt extractor Sign In

I put myself in a bad situation, at least from my stand point. First, here's the info on my truck:

2008
Chevy
Silverado 1500
V8/5.3L
133,000 miles

I was attempting to put a rough country leveling kit on the front end. Everything was going fine till I got to bolt that connects the strut to the lower control arm. I broke one of the bolts off, and to make matters worse, I broke my bolt extractor off into the broken bolt. For now I just put everything back as it was and left the broken bolt how it is. I am wondering, should I replace the lower control arm and strut, or hacksaw the strut/bolt off and just replace the struts. If neither of these, should I just take it into an automotive shop and at least have them remove the broken bolt?


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Sep 14, 2014, 11:48 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1646 views)
Re: Broken Bolt/bolt extractor Sign In

Just curious, but why would you have to replace the control arm if the bolts go through it and screw into the bottom of the shock flange? Can you get the other bolt out, so you can remove the shock/spring assembly?

If you broke an extractor off inside the strut flange, your not going to get that out unless you have a carbide drill bit. Even then, locating center without walking off to the side is going to require an end mill. If you want to repair the strut without replacing it, you could have a machinist fix the hole for you.

Note, when you put it back together the 3 top nuts and the control arm to shock flange bolts are torqued to 37 ft lbs.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 14, 2014, 11:53 AM)


jhigg1981
New User

Sep 14, 2014, 1:56 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1627 views)
Re: Broken Bolt/bolt extractor Sign In

I guess I should of also included the fact I know very little about anything mechanical. To answer your question, the bolt broke off in the control arm, so my thinking is if I just remove/replace the control arm and shock/spring assembly, I don't have to worry about fixing that mistake. I can just put in new parts. Also, yes I can remove the other bolt.


jhigg1981
New User

Sep 15, 2014, 7:45 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1606 views)
Re: Broken Bolt/bolt extractor Sign In

Well, I decided it was probably best I take it into a auto mechanic shop. So we will see if they can fix it and the damage it's going to do to my wallet.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 15, 2014, 1:01 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1597 views)
Re: Broken Bolt/bolt extractor Sign In

OK - Right choice now. Knowing little about anything mechanical, a broken extractor now it's time for help. Better damage to your wallet than you or others from a dangerous problem at hand,


T



jhigg1981
New User

Sep 15, 2014, 3:21 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1592 views)
Re: Broken Bolt/bolt extractor Sign In

Took it in this morning, and they were able to take out the broke bolt/extractor. They also put my leveling kit on for me too. Only cost me $155, which I was estimating much more. Maybe next time I try something like this, I will have someone who is more knowledgable with me to guide me.






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