Compression bolt removal

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dY0Du9WU_c0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

Video courtesy of The Access Fund

tools for the job:

  • Hammer

  • Thin pitons

  • “Tuning fork” (piton with the center milled out to allow passage around the bolt), or a milled out thin prybar or milled out framing hammer. More standard-shaped crowbars tend to be too thick, and tend to snap the bolt instead of pulling it.

  • Hole/tube brush

  • Blow pump/tube

pull the bolt:

  • Place the tip of a thin piton under the edge of the hanger, and hammer it under the hanger aiming to drive it alongside the bolt, not directly into the bolt.

  • As the bolt starts to come out you can use a tuning fork, a second thin piton driven parallel to the first piton, or a thin prybar driven under the hanger. If necessary, you can stack pitons, prybar, and/or tuning fork(s).

  • Change directions that you drive the tuning fork in from and take care to keep it flush with the rock to minimize damage.

inspect and prepare the hole:

  • When reusing a 1/4” or 3/8” hole it is best to enlarge it to fit a 1/2” bolt as the old hole will likely be misshapen and oversized for a bolt of the original size, it is very important to drill the correct size hole for the bolt being installed.

  • Drill the hole out, clean it and install the new bolt according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This list of tools does not include items that will be needed for installing the new bolt, refer to the instructions for the type of bolt you are placing by clicking here.