Ever wish you hadn't started?

[Fnaar]

"I'll just tighten that loose mudguard bolt" I thought. Wish I'd left it now! The bolt (hex key sort) had been in there for years, and I'd forgot it was rounded out, so hex key wouldn't work properly. So, I got a pliers, to just give it half a turn, which would have done me for another year or so (I tend to leave mudguards on all the time). Anyway, the bolt fractured, and the head came off, leaving the rest of it inside the eyelet on the frame.

Took mudguards off (which involved taking brakes off... I am useless at this sort of thing, but today, thankfully, I managed!!!) but I;m just wondering how to get that bit of bolt out, so I can re attach guards at end of summer...

Advice gratefully received!!!

 

[cloggsy]

Drill?

 

[biggs682]

great fun

 

[Fnaar]

I guess it'll have to be a drill... This is why I hate doing mechanical stuff, I'm so cr@p at it I could easily have messed up brakes etc.. and Mrs F was keen for me to put bike away (I did 75 miler earlier)... thankfully brakes went on easily and I tried them out down biggest local hill... so will drill that mutha out sometime, but not this weekend I guess!!

 

[mark barker]

Has it broken off flush with the frame? If not you might be able to file/cut a groove into it and unscrew using a flat blade screwdriver.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Sounds like an excuse for a new bike

 

[TheDoctor]

The whole bike's screwed. I'll give you a tenner, take it off your hands.
*hopeful*

 

[Fnaar]

Has it broken off flush with the frame? If not you might be able to file/cut a groove into it and unscrew using a flat blade screwdriver.

Yes, totally.flush...

 

[PpPete]

flush on both sides ?
nothing to get hold of at all ?

drill and tap then ....

 

[longers]

Cable tie/s for reattaching mudguard come autumn = no drilling?

 

[Fnaar]

Flush on both sides... cable ties is good idea, or may get clip on guards and keep these sks ones for when I get another bike!

 

[Melonfish]

have you tried superglue?
odd one but sometimes it can work, you glue the sheared head back on then try unscrewing it gently. or glue a rod onto it and unscrew that.
failing that its drill or new bike
either way its a good excuse for a few hours of fun.

if you're going to drill, choose a head thats smaller then the bolt, drill in half way then stop and reverse drill direction and apply pressure or again try a bit of rod/allen key with superglue to unscrew it. saves drilling and drilling and killing your threads.

 

[Globalti]

Choose something like a 2mm drill bit, lie the bike on its side and drill very slowly but with quite a bit of pressure. You want to be seeing a little sliver of swarf coming up from the drill bit, which you mustn't overheat as that will blunt it. Take care not to snap that bit.

Once you've drilled a couple of mm into it you might be able to force a small screw in and continue screwing it right through and out of the eyelet. Alternatively if you do snap the bit at this stage the broken end might just do the job for you.

 

[Fnaar]

Cheers folks, haven't had time to get the drill out yet, but will let you know, as and when.