Lift-the-dot post snapped off

[mickmate]

Anyone have any idea how I would get the bottom of a snapped self tapper out of a fiberglass body? It is flush or below on both sides with nothing to hang onto.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by mickmate

Anyone have any idea how I would get the bottom of a snapped self tapper out of a fiberglass body? It is flush or below on both sides with nothing to hang onto.

I've successfully and carefully used a 3/32 drill bit with a little bit of WD40 sprayed on the broken part for lubricant to get a broken post out of the body. Work the drill bit in slowly, then move to the second size up, the second size tip will get caught in the smaller hole and it should turn the stud till it falls out of the under side of the fiberglass body. Again the trick is to go slow. Sometimes the 3/32 drill bit gets caught and works the stud loose and through.


Bill S.




Bill S.

[joyridin']

I have used this to remove broken bolts and self tappers.

13 Piece Left-Hand Drill Bit Set

[Jerry Clayton]

I was going to suggest the left hand thingies-----also if you can do it from the back side---a right hand drill will thread it out-----

And if you want to do the BFH trick----a little smack can loosen it in fiberglass and any thing from a chop stick on down in size super glued to it can be used for turning it out

[Mark IV]

I have done what Bill suggested in the past. On a Superformance the studs are machine thread, not screw thread and go into a threaded steel insert that is moulded into the fiberglass. When broken above the surface a fine "V" file can be used to make a screwdriver slot to allow it turn out.

In any case, lots of protective tape around the worksite to prevent the inevitible "OOPS!!"

[mickmate]

Thanks guys, I got it. The problem was there was a spike on the end of the screw and I couldn't start a drill without it taking off to fiberglass. I cut an inch of 3/16" brake line off, held it in vice grips over the spike as a guide and drilled right through. I used the little 8-32 stud with a nut behind it instead of the self tapper. Now we're all feeling clever with our success!

[DanEC]

Nice save Mickmate. This was probably one of the most feared problems I faced in building my ERA. Body work, painting and dropping the engine in were nothing compared to the stress of carefully installing those self-tapping lift-a-dot posts to avoid chipping the paint or breaking one off.

Dan