Remove a broken bolt using a left handed drill bit

Removing a broken bolt or stud can be extremely difficult but in some cases such as when the bolt head has been sheared off by sideways force it is possible to remove the remainder of the bolt using a left handed drill bit. Here we demonstrate how to remove a broken stud using the left handed drill bit method.

[A_]

I was livid when my screw broke off, now you give me hope.🎉

[davehalliday]

The first method shown was spot on and saved me hundreds of pounds, after overtightening an M6 fastener that snapped on my egr valve. thanks

[brucecollins]

So I see some doubters here, I've been doing marine and industrial repair and maintenance for close to 40 years now and I have a set of extractors and Left Hand cobalt bits in my box. They've saved a lot of work, and made a lot of believers. Drilling the bolt relieves the stress using the LH bit means all of the torque is trying to twist the bolt out and gives you a head start on the easy-out. And yes it works on rusty and bi-metallic corrosion and if you're lucky even on galled SS. Don't count on the last. 

[fall]

I used to work in the toolroom at a plastic injection molding facility. Removing broken hardware is a huge part of the job. By far the worse thing to remove from a blind hole is a broken dowel pin. I was just going to say that you can get easy-outs in sets. They have the appropriate size left-hand drill with them. Most often, the broken stud comes out with the drill and you don't even need the easy-out.

[five]

I Snapped A Spindle On My BMX, This Video Is Awesome, And I'm Blessed To Say That My Broken Bolt Is Leveled With The Entrance Of The Crank.

[assgrabberb]

These are great! They've worked every time I've used them.

[nomiclas]

the reason an eazy out is not the best answer is it creates expansion and hench causes additional pressure to the thread surface thus defeating the removal attempt.the left handed drill is a little known and seldom used quick answer, smart stuff.I would have used a little larger bit as it relieves even more side wall pressure but you really have to have your center and bit alignment correct if your take the tolerances closer.Nice job you just made many people's lives easier.

[davelassell]

Show me with a rusted bolt that's totally inaccessible up in the rear frame of my land cruiser...

[redraif]

Thank you!!! Bought a rifle with a broken stud in the rear sight!!! You saved me the fee to have the gunsmith do it! Thank you! Thank you!

[yamahonkawazuki]

or use gradually larger bolts to thin out the walls of the bolt so eventually it can be removed in pieces. i do appreciate your videos. sending this one especially to an australian friend of mine. who has a broken exhaust bolt on a motorcycle he needs to remove

[statesideqsod]

Thanks for posting. This explains everything with great detail. Looks like separate bits and center punch is the way to go.

[djmanahan]

I just unscrew an m5x16mm mtb cleat bolt using this method. Thank you for sharing this. It really worked!!!

[ghettohillbilly]

Wow I never knew they made left handed drill bits, I use a similar tecnique with a right hand bit, but with a left hand bit a could double my productivity, thanks for the vid

[jerrybushman]

This video doesn't show a real situation but it does actually work. I drill a hole through the bolt first and then step with a LH bit. The first hole warms the bolt up so that when you use the LH bit it will shake things loose

[cjb]

Brilliant! Thank you for the upload, I for one appreciate it. Cheers.

[Nissera]

Love youre accent man, great vids!
Sweden

[MrKristyon]

done many stud extractions but never knew left handed drill bits existed! thanks!

[THETOPGLOCK]

Great video. I broke a exhaust manifold stud off in the head of my 03' F150 and it was hell trying to find LH drill bits! Finally found a 13 piece set at Harbor Freight. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend.

[marshallborder]

Never to old to learn, never heard of left handed drill bit . Great video -thanks

[bowtau]

Gr8 Vid, never heard of a left hand drill bit . Thanks for sharing .