Bolt Sheared Off in Transom Plate...

[Guitarjesus]

#5 in the diagram sheared off in the transom plate. Any suggestions to get it out without screwing up the threads in the transom plate or worse, puncturing the fiberglass behind it.

 

[Dixemon]

where did it shear off? Going in or coming out? Do you have any pictures? Depending on whether there is any thing to grab hold of will determine the best method of removal.

 

[Guitarjesus]

where did it shear off? Going in or coming out? Do you have any pictures? Depending on whether there is any thing to grab hold of will determine the best method of removal.

I'll have to take the whole think apart again to get a picture. It sheared off only in the transom plate as I was tightening it, it passes through the wear rings and inner ring. Barely put any torque on it, just turned like butter.

 

[Dixemon]

So it sheared off where the threads meet the grip of the bolt? That sucks, Good news is if it sheared with very little torque than you may have an easier time getting it out. Sounds like it may be time to invest in an easy out set, or taking to a shop to have them give it a go.

 

[rgc7654]

Hey @Guitarjesus - Did you have any luck getting that M6 broken bolt extracted out of the transom plate? I'm in the same predicament - overtightened when reassembling after an impeller replacement to 30lbs like the 4 larger bolts and snapped it off. I'm almost wondering if I can run the boat without that bolt for fear of doing more damage on an extraction.

 

[sastocky]

If you have an engraving pen, use it to walk the bolt out. It works very well on metal to metal sheared bolts.

 

[Cambo]

That same bolt sheared off when I was changing the wear ring I had taken them out before on my previous boat with no issues. They use some type of white loc tite, as the bolt backs out it binds up and they are soft like butter and shear off. If it gets tight when removing you have to thread it back in then back out and repeat.

I had plans that same day to take the boat out so I grabbed a smaller sized tap that was laying around drilled it and tapped in a smaller bolt. It ended up staying in there for the rest of the season, it bothered me thinking catastrophic failure so eventually I purchased a new bolt, correct tap and drill bit, then drilled and tapped it, good as new now. Buttersoft bolts are very easy to drill and tap. I did try to remove the broken piece but it was bound up and would not come out.

I'm almost positive this was the size used to drill and tap

Amazon.com

 

[Jerlane]

Interesting that so many people have had this happen, including me. I'm also wondering how critical the bolt is. I bought a replacement, but haven't attempted to remove the broken bolt yet since I'll likely have to remove the jet pump in order to access it.