10 replies to this topic

[Davemich]

I have removed my rear subframe today but one bolt has broken on the headboard left hand side, any tips on extracting the bolt would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[Ethel]

Has it broken flush with the  body work?

 

Put some effort in to loosening it - penetrating oil, heat, hammering end on.

 

There's a good chance it's corroded inside the sill so you might end up needing to cut an access hole and doing some welding.

[DeadSquare]

I have removed my rear subframe today but one bolt has broken on the headboard left hand side, any tips on extracting the bolt would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

 

Welcome to The Mini Forum

 

You are old enough to have collected some tools and experience;  are you young enough to put up a photo ?

[MiniMadRacer]

As has been suggested... is the broken bolt flush or standing proud.. is the subframe out or still in situ.. if the bolt broke flush with the frame (it usually does) then once the frame is out you will have a bit of stud sticking out usually about 1/2" (0.5 inch) .. without writing a boring thread.(pardon the pun) . "we" need to know whether its proud or flush before we can "offer options"

[Boycie]

Where the bolt has broken doesn't really make much difference in my experience... any 'action' on the remaining stub will only loosen and break off the spot-welded nut behind the heel board.

If it's a lower one, you can drill a 1" hole under the sill and reach in with a spanner to hold a new nut in place while you do up a new bolt, and you can do the same at the top, through the closing panel between the outer rear 1/4 panel and companion box.  Sure, that's not a concourse restoration option, but all depends if you need to get the car back together and back on the road.

[Davemich]

The subframe is out and it's the bottom one, I have ride with easy out bolt extractor but it's seazed solid. My next train of thought is as it's pertruding 0.5 out cut it flush to the heal board and drill through the middle of the bolt and rethread it. If I do rethread any idea what size I use.

Thanks
Dave

[Davemich]

I have removed my rear subframe today but one bolt has broken on the headboard left hand side, any tips on extracting the bolt would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

 
Welcome to The Mini Forum
 
You are old enough to have collected some tools and experience;  are you young enough to put up a photo ?

[cookie4343]

I'd try welding a nut on the remaining stud, the heat from doing this will more than likely free it off. Other option is weld nut and use a map gas torch. Sometimes tightening first will free it, once you get it moving work it back and forth until its out.

[DeadSquare]

If you have protruding thread, weld a nut onto it.

[Ethel]

Did it snap straight off, or did you get some movement first?

 

There's usually a good length of bolt protruding inside the sill that can rust enough to be impossible to screw back through the captive nut. If you can get it moving expect to do a lot of to and fro'ing to clean out the threads.

 

It's 5/16UNF

[Davemich]

Thanks guys for your advice, will try and weld a nut on first and see how that goes.