Stupid Tranny Bolt!

[Jawa]

A couple of months back I went to replace my tranny mount and sheared off one of the tranny bolts. I didn't have time to mess with it then and bolted everything back up with one bolt. Been driving around like that for several weeks and even gone wheeling a couple of times, no problem.

Today I decided it was long past time to fix that bolt. I PB Blastered it like crazy, scraped off all the rust I could, drilled it out, took a torch to it, got a big ol' square screw extractor in it and VOILA! Now I have a sheared off screw extractor in the busted bolt.

I give up! Anybody willing to trade a case of beer or a few bucks for some quick welding services? I figure I'll just weld the dang tranny mount on there and cut it out if I ever need to replace it again...

 

[Stallacrew]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

I wouldn't go that route.....ever. I would drill out and re-tap the hole before I'd go as far as weld it shut. Undoing a weld will be alot of work :repair:.

Just my $0.10

--Alex

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

You busted a bolt that holds the actual transmission mount with the rubber bushing to the crossmember? Or are you talking about the crossmember and you busted one of the bolts that fasten it to the frame rail?

 

[kennzz05]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

if you are talking about the crossmember to frame bolts i did the same thing i redrilled the crossmember right in its edge thru the frame used a uni bit to get a 1/2 hole in the side of the frame. installed a nut and bolt using the 1/2 hole in the side of the frame to put the nut thru. perhaps not the best thing to do but its been holding for 3 years

 

[planefixer]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

Sounds like hes talking about the 2 big bolts that hold the rubber mount to the tranny.x2 on the idea of drilling it out as opposed to welding the mount to the tranny.

 

[Jawa]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

Right, it's one of the two big bolts that holds the tranny mount to the tranny. The problem I have now is that I've got a busted screw extractor in the bolt and none of my drill bits will touch it. Any suggestions on how to get the extractor out? Maybe I just need to pick up some sort of super-tough drill bit...

Edit: by "none of my drill bits will touch it" I mean that they don't seem to be hard enough to drill out the extractor. They just dance along it and won't bite in.

 

[Hypoid]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

If there is any sticking out, grind a flat spot.

In any case, use a center punch to make a dimple for the drill bit to start in.

If worse comes to worse, drill an oversize hole and re-tap for a larger bolt, or install thread inserts. (Heli-coil is one brand for those)

 

[planefixer]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

Use bits made of cobalt steel (you'll go through more than 1) at LOW speed with plenty of lube (WD40, etc.) for the bit and have a lot of patience.

 

[Frank Z]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

Tailcone is aluminum, tranny mount is steel.

Weldy no Worky.

 

[Jawa]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

Tailcone is aluminum, tranny mount is steel.

Weldy no Worky.

I didn't think of that... I guess drilling it out is my only option. I'll have to try the cobalt blades Planefixer suggested and see where I get. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[JJacobs]

Re: Stupid *&#@!ing Tranny Bolt!

It might be easier to just swap out the extension housing with one from a junkyard.

 

[Jawa]

I was looking at that and wondering how involved it would be. It looks like I'd have to pull the transfer case and would then have access to it from there. Anybody have experience with this that can shed some light on how much work that would be?

 

[Stang5lgt]

I have a tail cone and can hook ya up. It would not be that hard about 3 hours. I could prob help ya in a week or two.

 

[Jawa]

That's generous of you - I'll more than likely take you up on that! I'll shoot ya a PM.

 

[JJacobs]

Not hard- assuming we're talking AW4, once the transfer case is off it's about six bolts and a little sealant on the old gasket.