OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

Grizzly · Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 61 Location: Dawson Creek

Anyone having any broken bolts in areas where there has not been an impact. It stands to reason to expect broken bolts in areas where you hit but I have replaced over 20 bolts on the sides near the front area and the plastic in the areas are not even scratched??? Anyone got any ideas?

Also, the bolts are mild steel, does anyone see any advantage to using stainless bolts. I found some bolts like the ones used except they are stainless. Just thought may be less reaction with aluminum and easier to remove??

WILSON · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 352 Location: Mexico City

In boats there is a lot of vibration which can cause unexpected or unexplained broken bolts or failed weldings. I consider this somewhat "Normal", but checking the bearings on the impeller shaft and/or alignment (which is usually the main source of vibration) is always a good idea.

On bolts: Stainless bolts are mechanically stronger than regular mild steel. And yes, it's much easier to remove them after a while.
Stainless bolts are not as strong as the "graded" or high resistance mild bolts. But non-stainless bolts loose resistance as they rust.

I strongly recommend using only stainless in any boat.

jethead · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Fort McMurray

Hey Folks,

any tips for removing broken bolts? Only thing I can think of is welding the nut to the back side of the bolt and using a wrench to remove. Anyone who have had successtips would sure be appreciated!

Thanks

WILSON · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 352 Location: Mexico City

There are tools for removing bolts that you can get in any decent hardware store. (theyre not expensive, either) It requires you drill a hole through the bolt and inserting the tool to spin back out.

They don't always work, so most of the time I have ended drilling a new hole and destroying the remains.

Rock Skipper · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 78 Location: BEAUMONT

I've found the best method to remove broken bolts is to, (if you can) grind the remains of the bolt flat, center punch the exact center of the bolt, buy yourself a reversing drill bit (this bit turns the opposite way, counter clockwise). Get one that is a bit smaller than your bolt diameter, and just reverse drill the bolt out (you may want to give it a shot of penitrating oil first). Usually as you reverse drill, the bit will grab and the bolt comes right out. You may have to drill a small pilot hole first. If you tryed this and the bolt doesn't budge, then you can hammer in an easy out and extract it that way.