Rear Axle

[Pete83]

any one know wheres the best place to get a new rear axle(in south wales pref), the bloody 13mm bolts holding the ARB Plates have snapped!

[hesslevtr]

why you need a new axle can you not just get the bolts out

[Sean]

drill the bolts out and fit new ones...

[Pete83]

well ive tried that, managed to drill the center of the bolt and the removel tool to get the bolt out snapped as well and its hard steel and the new drill bits i got to do the job wont touch it? anyone have any ideas?

[hesslevtr]

get some new drill bits will be cheaper then new axle

[Sean]

spot weld a bolt onto whats left of the snapped bolt then wind it out normally

[Pete83]

not sure if that would work as ive already started to drill it?

[boz]

find out the core size for the bolt. then make sure the holes you have started to drill are in the centre.
then drill it out with the same size drill as the core size eg if a 10mm bolt has a core size of 8mm, drill it out 8mm, this will just leave a bit of the threads off the bolt in the hole, you may be able to pick them out with a small sharp pic, or just run a tap down the hole thats the same size as the bolt.

have you tried using a decent set of 'easy outs'??
these are normally spot on. need to be a decent set and not cheap shite. drill a hold down the middle of the bolt, fit an easy out into the start of the hole, give it a few taps with a hammer to get it secure in the hole (gets a good grip) then fit a spanner or adjustable onto the end of the easy out and twist it until the bolt moves.

get some carbide tip drills, they are normally gold color tipped, run it slowish so its just cutting, spray plenty of wd40 on the drill bit tip to cool it down as it will get hot and chip if its going to fast.

spray/soak the snapped bolt with wd40 or plusgas, this will allow it to free and rust holding the bolt into the hole. it shouldnt be stuck solid unless the bolt has bottomed out in the hole.

lol hope you under stand that and that it works for you mate. seems a bit extreme to go and get a new axle.

if that fails you could always drill the whole bolt out then, drill a hole and tap it the next size and fit bigger bolts.

[Pete83]

Tried an 'easy out' but it snapped! will try and get some new drill bits monday and give it a go.

[Pete83]

ah well tried new drill bits but no luck, been out there for 5hours drilling and its hardly made a dent so looks like its a new axle for me! if anyone knows of or see's one on the net can they post a link here. Thanks for the advice everyone. Pete

[Johnno]

i am looking for one in s.w too lol

[Scott]

diamond tipped bits will do the job