Transmission cross member stud

[biedejk0]

I’m trying to lower my transfer case due to a lift. The crossmember that holds the transmission up is supported by two bolts and two studs. I’ve managed to break one of the studs off. I tried drilling it out with a left-handed bit and anIrwin spline extractor tool. I did not get the drillbit centered very well on the broken stud. The extractor tool tightens, and then spins out. In short, I don’t think I will be able to drill it out and use an extractor tool.

The strut is rusted in there pretty tight. Obviously, I can’t access the other side of it due to it being encased.

I was thinking of using an air hammer to punch the broken stud and welded nut out and use a Riv Nut in its place.

Any thoughts on this? Can anyone think of another way I could try to get the stuff out?

I don’t have access to a welder to weld. I’m not onto it and try to spin it out that way.

 

[ChillyB]

Have you ever used one of those thin wires with spiral twist on end for installing hitches in a box frame? Maybe fish one of those babies in through a nearby hole with appropriate sized grade 8 bolt on it?

I'd not trust a rivnut for load bearing structural work. For unibody that crossmember might be part of the structural package.

 

[biedejk0]

I’m on familiar with those. Do you have a link so I could look at one?

 

[ChillyB]

Look up bolt fish wire.

 

[biedejk0]

Look up bolt fish wire.

I understand now.