I just need some ideas!

[SHOjones]

Well, after owning my 89 SHO for over 8 years (and just turning over 200K last month), I was finally left stranded for the first time due to a CPS failure.

No problem I thought as I tore into the job. After I got the upper end opened up, I attempted to loosen the crank bolt. Couldn't budge it. Tried the starter trick. Couldn't budge it. Tried an electric impact wrench. Couldn't budge it. Tried a 6 foot pipe on a breaker bar. Couldn't budge it.

Finally I had a Les Schwab truck come by and use their air impact wrench on it.

Snapped the bolt head off, and left the bolt shank buried in the crank.

What options do I have to get that broken bolt out? Its a grade 8 (or equivalent metric grade 10.9) and other than grinding something that hard, I really don't have an idea what to do.

 

[SHO_Driver]

You could try an EZ out. You'd have to drill into the bolt that's left, straight into the center. From what I heard, it seems the bolt head with the built on washer seems to be what locks it up in the first place. So with that gone it might not be too bad remove.

 

[shopartsnw]

Be very careful. The bolt is hard (and will be hard to drill), but the easyout is even harder. I have seen and broken my share of easyouts trying to remove a bolt. If the easyout breaks, then you are really toast. Just a healthy warning.

One thing to think about is that if the bolt was stuck enough to break (it is a good size bolt), it will probably break the easyout unless you can get it to break free first.

I would soak it in good penetrating oil (they make oils just to loosen stuck bolts - it is much better than WD-40 for things like this). If it were anything but the crank, if that did not do it I would apply careful heat with a torch. Since it is a crank, I WOULD NOT USE THE TORCH, unless a far more experienced SHO guru told me, and I am not that guru.

My prayers are with you.

 

[yamahaSHO]

That is why when the car is younger, you should take the bolt our and the dampner and spray some lubricant. I can wiggle my dampner off.

 

[DHMag]

i was taught that when it comes to a bolt that has never been loosened or may be tight, try and tighten it a bit more. you dont need much movement. it has saved me a lot of time and trouble.

 

[wood_e]

You're lucky you've been stranded only once....

 

[SHOjones]

Your prayers worked.

I sprayed PB Buster on the bolt over several nights, and just picking at the bolt remnant with a scribe was able to slowly rotate it out.

I guess you could say I had a real Easy Out.

Whew......

Thanks all for the kind replies and support!