broken bolt I can’t get to come out

[mark lavrack]

I’m working on a 2006 chrysler pt cruiser for my mother in law. I’m in the middle of changing lower control arm and the stabilizer bar links. Well, when loosing two of those bolts they broke off flush. Yes, I let pb blaster set over night and the were coming out then just snapped. Tried drilling a hole in the middle of the bolt then inserting an extractor. It wont budge. I even tried heating with my map gas. Still won’t budge. Does anyone have an idea? This has never happened to me. My worse night mare.

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[Christopher Bethune]

I’ve had decent luck with a cordless electric impact wrench. Extractor bits can work well but I’ve found that if I go cheap on those it rarely ends well. Heat if an option can work.

One other thing that has worked for me and it may seem really simple and strange is to put some vinegar in a spray bottle and spray down the broken off bolt before I start to use the extractor or attempt to take a bolt out. If it’s in a part that I can take off and soak in vinegar it works even better. The stuff eats rust better than one would think. Just be sure to neutralize it afterwards with some baking soda and water mixed up as a paste so rust doesn’t come back. It’s been about 50/50 for me but it’s a cheap option to try.

[Lann]

sounds like an adventure… I think those Chryslers from that time are horrible about rusting. I had a relative who had a Pacifica from that year give or take and so many things rusted out in such a short amount of time. the worst being the subframe was completely corroded and rusted through in like 6 years. granted, this happened in a midwest state, but the vehicle was parked in a garage and well maintained.

[mark lavrack]

Chryslers are no fun to work on. Issue after issue. Quality is terrible. Once this Pt Cruiser is on the road again I’m going to tell my mother in law to sell. I have working on this vehicle many times. It has only 64,00 miles. I have replace a low limit switch for the ac, window motor, NVLD for emissions, fan and shroud for the ac, lower control arms, alternator, tie rods inner and outer, oil pressure switch. now it’s developed an oil leak which I haven’t investigated yet. What’s next? I Iike working on cars, but give me a break. 64,000 miles?

[Author]

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