LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Snapped crank bolt!!!

Old Apr 11, 2007 | 01:43 AM
  #1  
blown383's Avatar
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Snapped crank bolt!!!

While installing my big block hub I managed to snap off the auto zone installer tip in the crank snout. Anyone have ideas on removing it? Easy out or weld a bolt on to it and wrench it off?

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Last edited by blown383; Apr 11, 2007 at 01:46 AM.
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 01:50 AM
  #2  
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Take it to a machine shop and make it their problem, they should have the right tools and have done it many times.

It should not have snapped off, do you know what was done wrong?
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 02:04 AM
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I used a ****ty autozone hub installer!!!

-B
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 07:11 AM
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Agreed, take it to a machine shop and don't risk making the situation any worse.
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 10:32 AM
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I had the same thing happen to me on a friends SRT4 that locked up. The dealer had it and tryed like hell to get it turned over and stretched the bolt. I rebuilt the engine for him and put in a brand new crank, but reused the crank bolt....... when to tighten it and it snapped.

I pulled the motor, flipped the thing over and pulled out the crank (Left the pistons and rods in the bores). I had a local machine shop drill it out and clean up the threads on it. Took about 80 bucks in labor, but on a 400 dollar crank it was worth it. Had it back in and running the next morning.
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 08:28 PM
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I decided to take on this challege myself since I didn't want to haul my $10K motor back to the machine shop and have them tear it apart to remove the broken bolt.

I went to Sears and purchased a hand impact tool that removes frozen or stuck bolts by striking it with a hammer.

I used a dremel and cut a slot in the protruding bolt.



I slipped on the flat head fitting and slammed on the hammer with no results. The bit just chipped the inside of the slot. =(

So its time to break out the big guns....So I bought a 7/32 and a 1/8 inch Colbalt series drill bit from Sears. The regular black oxide or titanium drill bits won't do **** to the bolt so its important to use the Colbalt series.

I 1st drilled a 7/32 hole and tried my best to center it on the bolt.



Then I used the 1/8 drill bit.



The Colbalt drill bits went through the metal like a hot knife through butter! =)

I hammered the bolt extractor in and with a pair of vice grips twisted the bolt out.



This is the result:





So inconclusion I would like to give a big THUMBS DOWN! to Autozone's sh!TTY hub installer.

-B

Last edited by blown383; Apr 11, 2007 at 08:36 PM.
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 09:10 PM
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Nice Work!... and even nicer purple gloves
Old Apr 11, 2007 | 11:42 PM
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Good job! I will definetly remember this thread, because Im using autozones crappy hub installer this weekend.
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 01:16 AM
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put the hub in the oven at 500* for like 15 min and it will slip right on to the crank, no installer needed
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 08:11 AM
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Don't use autozone's installer. It's a POS. I made my own with some all thread, washers and a bolt. I used a flat piece of metal with a hole for the all thread to dristribute the load. I also had a piece of pipe and a longer all thread for the crank gear so that I wouldn't be so close to the block. It works great.

Don't forget to use some type of grease on the threads to prevent galling. Anti-sieze works great.
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 09:50 AM
  #11  
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Problem is that I have a big block hub with dual keys... and it looks like the tolerances on the hub and the crank snout is around .001! I may have to get my hub honed once I mic it.

-B
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 09:51 AM
  #12  
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Yeah, that would be a little tight.
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by zx1216
put the hub in the oven at 500* for like 15 min and it will slip right on to the crank, no installer needed

Sorry to hijack but are you serious

And what about if the oven solution is not available, can acethylene torch do the same?
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by always faster
Sorry to hijack but are you serious

And what about if the oven solution is not available, can acethylene torch do the same?
yeah, it works great, i'm not sure how much the hub expanded but i suppose a person could calculate it pretty easy, anyway it just sliped right on, wear a welding glove when ya put it on and you shouldn't have any problems, a torch may work, just take i easy on the heat.
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 10:22 AM
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Just curious, did autozone give you any trouble about getting your deposit back?

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