Downtube barrel adjuster bolt broken

[Alex Kearns]

Hi,

Anyone got any ideas as to how I could remove the bit of bolt that is stuck in my frame? The downtube barrel adjuster bolt has snapped and there is a little bit left preventing me from fitting a new one!

Regards,

Alex

 

[ianrauk]

I had the very same problem a couple of years back.
In the end I (very carefully) drilled it out. Just took my time being careful not to damage the frame.

 

[Alex Kearns]

I had the very same problem a couple of years back.
In the end I (very carefully) drilled it out. Just took my time being careful not to damage the frame.

Thanks! What sort of bit did you use in the drill?

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks! What sort of bit did you use in the drill?

Just a normal metal drill bit. I had the drill on the slowest setting the stuck bit of bolt then started turning out.

 

[Alex Kearns]

Just a normal metal drill bit. I had the drill on the slowest setting the stuck bit of bolt then started turning out.

Okay, thanks! Which end did you drill from? The big or small end?

 

[ianrauk]

The small end so it reversed the broken screw out.

 

[Alex Kearns]

Okay! I'll give it a go, did you soak it in anything first to loosen it up?

 

[ianrauk]

A spray of wd40. And it reversed out.

 

[Alex Kearns]

So it came out of the big end?

 

[ianrauk]

Yes.
I was just very careful not to drill or damage the screw thread of the adjuster.

 

[Alex Kearns]

Okay! I might not bother with it, I don't really need a barrel adjuster for the front derailleur, and I think the cable housing will still fit okay without one on there