Thread: Snapped Bolt

I did some searching, found some useful information, and I just wanted to post this to see if there was any additional info that could be contributed on the matter. Keep in mind I don't have much experience under the hood but I'm willing to except the challenge.

I was replacing the coolant system on my '04 GTP and when I went to reattach the power steering pump, I snapped the bolt off into the block. I haven't had a chance to check out what it looks like (whether the bolt is flush with the block or not).

The solution that I have come across is to drop the passenger-side of the engine cradle to gain access to the bolt to use a bolt extractor.

There are a few things I wanted to check on before attempting this.

1. Is there anyway I can do this without dropping the engine?
2. Does anyone have an input on the best method to drop the cradle? (I have one jack and many jackstands)
3. Not that it matters at this point, but are the bolt sizes on a L32 different from a L67? Specifically, water pump and PS pump bolts, because I felt like they weren't gripping the bolts right. The torque wrench wasn't engaging I think because it wasn't properly holding, thus I overtorqued the bolt and snapped it.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

cradle comes out easy enough, but to get it flush you'll probably have to drop both sides. remember to take the intermediate shaft bolt out. hopefully you have a nice sized floor jack, because you'll probably wanna set the cradle on four jackstands and lift the car off of it. that's a really sh!tty spot to break a bolt. might help to take the front wheels off, and you might have to take the top strut bolts out.

or... there's three bolts on the pump right? two might hold it...

theres only two bolts, Pull the pump off and see if the bolt is sticking out of the block, if so use a stud puller, no need to drop the cradle then.

Yeah there's just the 2 bolts. Someone mentioned a right-angle drill and a left-handed drill bit.

one bolt will hold it though i did the same thing on my buddies 02 monte carlo and we havent had any problems with just one bolt yet

Your car will also run with 2 qts of oil, but why risk it.

I wouldn't prefer to use just one bolt, but at this point I'm just hoping the block isn't cracked because of the coolant system failure. Fortunately I have a second car. I would like to get this one fixed soon though.

its up to you im just saying your fine with one bolt

He's not fine with one bolt holding an accessory under tension of belt that works harder on turns etc. This is a two bolt area.

First thing I'd do is remove the other bolt and lower the pump to the back of the engine bay (still attached to it's hoses). Then realizing that once the bolt snapped, there should no longer be any pressure on it. I'd use something small like a screwdriver etc and tap the bolt with a hammer at the edge in a counter clockwise fashion. This little thing works very well with bolts like this and I've done it hundreds of times.

If any of the bolt protrudes, you can use a dremel with cutoff wheel to make a since groove in the middle of the bolt. Then a short flat blade screwdriver to turn it out. Or a punch/chisel and hammer.

Ok, I dodged a bullet. There was a tiny bit sticking out and I was able to take it by hand. I thought it might be seized in there, but it came out pretty easily. Thanks for all the advice. At least I know what my options are next time this happens and I can't use my hand. Hopefully it won't happen again.