Broken bolt

[GaryInTheShop 9]

Greeting,

First post and first Wheel Horse so I hope this in the correct forum.

 

I just bought a 1975 C100 mower on Monday. The wife was mowing with it yesterday and the blade on the discharge side fell off. I thought a bolt came loose so I got another one and that is when I found out the bolt had broke. Any suggestions on how to get it out? My plan is to try a left handed drill bit or a easy out.

 

Thanks,

Gary

[Achto 29,433]

37 minutes ago, GaryInTheShop said:

My plan is to try a left handed drill bit or a easy out.

 

   This sounds like the best course of action. If you're going to try the left handed bit, it is best to drill a pilot hole first. this gives the left hand bit a better chance to grab the bolt. Stay small enough with the left hand bit so that you can still use an easy out if needed. 

[dodge78 94]

You just have to find the super secret swear word.  Every situation is different so the word changes.

Or I have no good ideas

 

 

[GaryInTheShop 9]

Just now, dodge78 said:

You just have to find the super secret swear word.  Every situation is different so the word changes.

Or I have no good ideas

 

 

Haha. Thanks

[The Tuul Crib 7,339]

If you had a welder just weld a nut to the broken bolt and it should back right out.

[GaryInTheShop 9]

1 minute ago, The Tool Crib said:

If you had a welder just weld a nut to the broken bolt and it should back right out.

Thanks for reply. It broke below the surface. Otherwise that would be easy. Thank

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Also, I would soak it with something like PB Blaster or some kind of penetrating oil, to help make sure it isn't seized in place

[The Tuul Crib 7,339]

Theres something i use called bolt buster 

made by beaver industries. Great stuff!

[Pullstart 67,094]

1 hour ago, GaryInTheShop said:

Thanks for reply. It broke below the surface. Otherwise that would be easy. Thank

 

 to  @GaryInTheShop! is it threaded into steel?  If not, the dissimilar metals might still allow that trick.

[GaryInTheShop 9]

8 minutes ago, pullstart said:

 

 to  @GaryInTheShop! is it threaded into steel?  If not, the dissimilar metals might still allow that trick.

Yes

[Racinbob 11,991]

I just had that happen on my grandsons Commando. I took a pin punch and carefully tapped it counterclockwise. Much to my surprise it came out easily. Maybe you'll get that lucky. 

[953 nut 60,402]

If there is rust holding the broken bolt in place the heat of the drill bit may be enough to have it come out as you drill.

[GaryInTheShop 9]

6 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

If there is rust holding the broken bolt in place the heat of the drill bit may be enough to have it come out as you drill.

Thank for the reply.

[GaryInTheShop 9]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and info. I have to work for the next few days so it might be Monday or Tuesday of next week before I get to it. I will post what the outcome is when I'm finished. I hope it is a new bolt installed, along with the blade, and we're back to mowing. 😀

[troutbum70 858]

If all fails its an easy fix with a replacement spindle, that would also probably be faster fix to get back to business, and then in free time remove broken bolt and then have a spare spindle.

[GaryInTheShop 9]

7 hours ago, troutbum63 said:

If all fails its an easy fix with a replacement spindle, that would also probably be faster fix to get back to business, and then in free time remove broken bolt and then have a spare spindle.

Where can you a spindle? Does anyone have a part number?

 

Thanks

[Retired Wrencher 5,847]

GaryInTheShop         I hope things work out for you. There is always good help here . Enjoy the site.

[troutbum70 858]

Not sure in your area maybe a member not far from you or a dealer close to you that still has some new old stock. If you look in red square directory there are some suppliers listed. Good luck and getting the broken bolt out will be easier with the spindle out of the deck which I am sure you already know. 

[GaryInTheShop 9]

12 minutes ago, troutbum63 said:

Not sure in your area maybe a member not far from you or a dealer close to you that still has some new old stock. If you look in red square directory there are some suppliers listed. Good luck and getting the broken bolt out will be easier with the spindle out of the deck which I am sure you already know. 

Thank you for info.

[Racinbob 11,991]

This is assuming you have the same blade bolts that the Commando has. The 3/8" bolt with the domed, starred washer.

 

As I mentioned in post #11 I just had this happen. It was the second time in two years. Since I had never had this happen in the decades I've been using Wheel Horses I dug deeper into it. The manual calls for a 'special' bolt to hold the blade on. It also states to replace them every two or three times. It's a 3/8" x 7/8" nyloc bolt, part # 908033. The first time it happened I just used a hardened bolt, not nyloc. After several removals the nylon thingy loses effectiveness. The grandson said he heard a funny sound right before it broke. I'm pretty sure it had come loose and caused it to break. Therefore the remaining piece was loose in the spindle. I found a batch of the correct bolts on Ebay and used them this time plus spares for down the road. I would suggest you do the same. At bare minimum useing the correct thread locker would help. 

Edited May 30, 2019 by Racinbob

[SylvanLakeWH 28,644]

 

Comments above have it pretty much covered...

 

Good luck!

[Tuneup 1,452]

Note also that, if one broke, the others are likely on their way. You might want to check them after finishing the job. For me, I tap the bolt with a small bit and then increase the bit size. The heat and vibration over time usually gets it started and you can get to the point where the hole is large enough to collapse the threads. I've rarely had success with an easy-out - they break for me - but have worked if the hole is large enough. Good luck!!!

[GaryInTheShop 9]

3 minutes ago, Tuneup said:

Note also that, if one broke, the others are likely on their way. You might want to check them after finishing the job. For me, I tap the bolt with a small bit and then increase the bit size. The heat and vibration over time usually gets it started and you can get to the point where the hole is large enough to collapse the threads. I've rarely had success with an easy-out - they break for me - but have worked if the hole is large enough. Good luck!!!

Thanks

[GaryInTheShop 9]

Anyone know of a place to source a spindle assembly? I dont think I have a dealer near me.

 

Can I search for a Toro dealer?

[oldlineman 1,541]

check vender section or put add in wanted section parts are out there