Wedge bolt removal

 

tools for the job:

  • Hammer

  • Adjustable wrench, 9/16” wrench, 1/2” wrench, and 3/4” wrench (if using hurley jr tool)

  • Spinner tool (contact us to acquire this tool)

  • Threaded extraction tool - contact us for information on sourcing extraction tools or click here to learn how to make you own

  • Water bottle with a nozzle style tip (I like old siracha bottles)

  • 240 grit jeweler's abrasive

  • Vice grips

  • Hole/tube brush

  • Blow pump/tube


spin the bolt:

  • Remove the nut/hanger and tap the bolt in a bit to disengage the wedge. Be sure to leave enough threads above the surface to thread on your spinner tool.

  • Screw your spinner tool on to the stud by hand, once fully threaded I like to get the stud spinning with a wrench before using the drill.

  • Put your drill into rotary (spin) only mode and attach it to the stud.

  • Spin the bolt and maintain a neutral position- you can gently wallow the hole and pull as you spin but don’t push or pull hard. Apply water with jewelers abrasive added in order to score the wedge, and cool the bolt as you will generate heat.

  • The goal is to score the wedge into the stud to prevent it from engaging over the cone, it takes some practice to know how much to spin, try a couple of minutes to start and then try to pull.

pull the bolt:

  • Reverse the drill and pull out while unscrewing to slightly jam the bolt as you unthread the spinner from the stud.

  • Thread your puller tool onto the stud. Take care to capture as many threads as you can, you can easily strip the threads while pulling if not.

  • Extract the bolt, this should be quite easy. If it becomes hard to pull, stop and spin the bolt again or you will likely break the bolt or your puller.

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.

  • If you are extracting a 1/2” bolt, replacing it with an adhesive anchor is ideal.

  • 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.

Video courtesy of Greg German