Center cap screws snapped off inside wheel

All Models and Years
User avatar
62'Brier
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:46 pm

Center cap screws snapped off inside wheel

Post by 62'Brier »

Not Corvair specific but I dumbly tried taking off caps without spraying screws with penetrating fluid first and several snapped off with only little nubs left.
What's the best way to remove them or do I have to rebore and thread the holes? The holes are probably about 3 mm.
IMG_0215.JPG
IMG_0213.JPG
See picture.
IMG_0215.JPG

Sent from my iPad using Corvair Forum mobile app
Have a nice day...
Jerry Whitt
Posts: 887
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:42 pm

Re: Center cap screws snapped off inside wheel

Post by Jerry Whitt »

The best way involves some work.
1. Use the rust remover you forgot to use.
2. Use a Drimel grinder and make the top of each broken bolt absolutely flat.
3. Center punch each broken bolt.
4. Drill each broken bolt, starting with a very small drill. Then drill each bolt with the next size up. Repeat, several times as needed.
5. Obtain an "easy out" or other brand of broken bolt remover. Tap into the broken bolt, then remove the bolts.
6. If the bolts still wont come out, use the next size up drill again. Continue this process. Finally the pieces of the bolt will come out.
7. If needed, retap the hole to the next size larger screw.


Involves lots of work, but if you keep at it, will solve the problem. (I know from lots of experience!)
Jerry Whitt
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN
Retired
Hemet, Callifornia
65 Monza, purchased new
65 Corsa convertible
User avatar
terribleted
Posts: 4588
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:36 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
Contact:

Re: Center cap screws snapped off inside wheel

Post by terribleted »

If you lose the threads you can also perhaps helicoil back to regular hole instead of going oversized.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/

Located in Snellville, Georgia
User avatar
62'Brier
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:46 pm

Re: Center cap screws snapped off inside wheel

Post by 62'Brier »

Thanks you guys. I will keep at it.

Sent from my MediaPad T1 8.0 using Corvair Forum mobile app

Have a nice day...
User avatar
Kent1915
Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:07 pm

Re: Center cap screws snapped off inside wheel

Post by Kent1915 »

terribleted wrote:If you lose the threads you can also perhaps helicoil back to regular hole instead of going oversized.
I second the helicoil. Not done it (knock wood) on my corvair but had to on my motorcycle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post Reply

Return to “Ask your Mechanical Questions here”