Broken rocker arm bolt

**Wsmccoy** · 01-21-2014

So as the title says I have a broke rocker arm bolt. I put on 105 lb valve springs a week ago and while driving home from work I heard a ticking noise, I know I should of pulled over and inspected it or got it towed home, but when I was a couple blocks from home it got louder and the check engine light came on. I scanned as I was pulling in the driveway and had a misfire code for cylinder 3. Took the valve cover off and found the bolt broke.

I know it's hard to tell with the pedestal still on but I can tell it's flush with the head. So what are the chances that an extractor could get it out? And just to add I replaced the bolts and torqued everything down just as I did when I installed the 1.9 modified rockers months ago. Is there a possible chance it was a weak bolt? All other bolts are still torqued correctly and not loose.

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**Iceman6669** · 01-21-2014

I went through the same issues ... We tried extractor, we even tried welding a nut to the broken stud to back it out... Ended up having to drill it out.

**brandonl2000** · 01-21-2014

many many carbide drill bits lost their life that day

**DanPrixGTP** · 01-21-2014

Maybe there isn't red locktite on there. Could try an extractor before drilling at it.

**gtpeddie** · 01-21-2014

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

many many carbide drill bits lost their life that day

Maybe a cobalt drill bit, a carbide bit should hold up pretty well

**Iceman6669** · 01-21-2014

Originally Posted by gtpeddie

Maybe a cobalt drill bit, a carbide bit should hold up pretty well

It didn't ... About 8 times.

**GMR Badass** · 01-21-2014

You said you put 105# springs in a week earlier......what rocker arm bolts did you end up using?

**DanPrixGTP** · 01-21-2014

When this happened to Me, Josh, Anmar, and Brandon, all I can say, is have fun.

**brandonl2000** · 01-21-2014

Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP

When this happened to Me, Josh, Anmar, and Brandon, all I can say, is have fun.

us=

**Wsmccoy** · 01-21-2014

I already new it is going to be a pain, well I guess I'll know what I'll be doing this weekend instead of tuning for the 60lb injectors I have laying in the garage. And I thought I ordered comp cam bolts but when they arrived it was oem bolts. I thought they would be fine. I already placed an order for comp cam bolts though

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**brandonl2000** · 01-21-2014

the bolt that broke on us was a comp cam bolt

**Iceman6669** · 01-21-2014

Your not going to want to hear this but you will prolly be best off if you take the head off the car.

**Wsmccoy** · 01-21-2014

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

the bolt that broke on us was a comp cam bolt

Great so I'm just screwed either way

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**Wsmccoy** · 01-21-2014

Originally Posted by Iceman6669

Your not going to want to hear this but you will prolly be best off if you take the head off the car.

That's what I was wanting to avoid. I'm going to go ahead and try with it on and see what happens. Worst case I'll take it off

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**Iceman6669** · 01-21-2014

Well be careful with all the metal shavings.

**Scottydoggs** · 01-21-2014

grease the drill bit good, and around that rocker bolt hole to catch the metal shavings.

**Wsmccoy** · 01-21-2014

Originally Posted by Iceman6669

Well be careful with all the metal shavings.

Yeah I already thought about that. Going to grease everything to try and catch the shavings and cover and tape as much as I can

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**Twizted 1** · 01-21-2014

Go buy a left hand drill bit. Heat the head around the bolt (not the bolt)
You might get lucky and it'll back out.

If not then buy a masonry drill and have fun. The masonry drill has a high speed carbide tip that will drill case hardened steel. It will drill through that bolt with no issues.

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**sseilmnop** · 01-22-2014

If there isn't loctite on the threads and the bolt isn't bottomed out in the hole you should be able to back it out. I use a vibrating engraving pencil to spin broken bolts out. Left hand drills work good to.

I used grade 8 socket head cap screws.