Drilling out "TAM" bolts and ordering new long studs

[alexofnazareth]

Well the offroad turd has finally hit its 2nd hiccup.
The head bolts that I used in place of the studs for the TAM due to me spacing down the powertrain have failed finally.
The two outer bolts are broken off in the TCC.
I know drilling studs out can be a pain. Anyone know about drilling out head bolt remnants? lol

Also I'll need to find a longer replacement stud to avoid this from happening again.
Swapping out the UHMPE spacer for something that wont squish would also help since I figured the head bolts were backing out anyway.
Anyone have suggestions on where to source studs? Otherwise I was just gonna order a set of ARPs and use those. Lemme know.


Bolt shear.jpg

[importsdontlikeme]

I've never had that problem. So I'm not of much help. You really can't go wrong with ARP.


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[S.Bretz]

Get a left handed drill bit and get after it. Turn the drill bit slowly (50-100rpm). The drill bit will eventually bite into what is left and turn the bolt out.

Or, if you have a welder, you can place a nut over the bolt and fill the nut full of weld. Then use the head of the nut to remove the bolt. The head from the welding will help the aluminum expand so its easier to remove the bolt. Since the cover is aluminum the weld will not stick to the aluminum. You will want to remove the valve cover for this so you don't melt the plastic. Cover the cams and shit with a towel to avoid splatter from getting into the engine.

[alexofnazareth]

Thanks Sam. Holmes Depot only had those screw extractor jobbies.
I've got a lead on a hardware store that sells individual LH bits. Opens at 730 tomorrow morning.

[alexofnazareth]

Sam, after drilling a small pilot hole for the LHD bit to grab onto, the bolt remnants backed out real easily.
broken head bolt_2.jpg

Now to find some studs to use for next time:
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0349287?r=~%7Ccategoryl1:%22601071%20Cutting%20Too ls%209and%20Metalworking%22%7C~%20~%7Ccategoryl2:% 22601114%20Tooling%20Components%22%7C~%20~%7Ccateg oryl3:%22603339%20Workholding%20Fasteners%22%7C~%2 0~%7Ccategoryl4:%22603344%20Studs%22%7C~%20~%7Csat tr01:%5EM10-1.5$%7C~

we'll see how they work out.

[S.Bretz]

If you have a tap and die set, make sure you chase out the threads just to be safe.

Can you not use an OEM stud? I may have some in by bolt bucket if you need some.

[alexofnazareth]

I spaced down the powertrain 2" since I dropped the subframe 2" as well, which made the original studs far too short to use.
I used head bolts because they were the only thing long enough in my bolt collection to fasten through the TAM + 2" Spacer to the TCC.