So do EZ outs _EVER_ work???

[beerdog]

An easy out is not really ment to break loose severely frozen bolts/ studs. If the damn thing is seized from corrosion it will be no easier with an easy out. Gotta break the heat source. Then use the easy out.

 

[WVBrady]

I had to replace an exhaust stud on my Probe last fall. It had failed in normal use as I read was common, especially with the turbo models. I drilled it out with a left handed bit, but it didn't remove by itself. I drilled it with as large a bit as I could and, owing to the awkward situation, got a little into the threads. I tried a trick I had first heard about on a gunsmithing forum; I heated it up with a propane torch and melted candle wax around the threads and let it cool. I then used a Craftsman remover which is not spiral wound, but does have a slight taper. I held my breath and turned it out. I think the wax helped, because although it did not come out easily, it did not suddely break loose, but came out with a constant torque. I did drill, tap, and replaced it with the next larger size.

 

[Squankum]

But... why left handed drill bits? Does the twisting force really work? Or is it just the heat and vibration?

I had good luck with a left-handed bit once.

 

[reddog289]

Good thread since I remembered I have lost or broke most of my extractors, and can't find any LH drills at my house. Drill and tap always was the best for me after the extractors broke.
Not that I never had any luck with extractors/ EZ outs.

 

[Skyline]

Anyone use one of those inductive coil devices?

 

[Full Throttle]

my thought's

for every special bolt that needs a special wrench or technique, there is and equal amount of combinations for removing broken fasteners.

my #1 sucess is a lefty drill
#2 drill out and pick whats left
#3 ez out
#4 heat/fluid this is before I actually snap a fastener
#5 weld nut if possible

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Haha, you guys think this *****?

You ain't seen nothing until you break off a glow plug!

 

[otis66]

If your lucky it will brake off. Ezy outs will not work well on exhaust parts.
Exhaust parts get the tourch.

 

[Kev442]

Having used left hand drill bits on some oil pan bolts last year, I had high hopes for the exhaust manifold stud yesterday. It is absolutely true that if rust (and 40 y.o. parts) is heavily involved, you are wasting your time with both ez outs and LH drilling.
I resorted to drill and tap. I have always sucked at drilling bolts out straight so I was dam proud of how nice it worked out. Only took 40+ years to do one right!

 

[smothers33]

These work awesome if you use them right and use them on appropriate situations. If a 6 pt bolt is rounded and you used the right size socket its because its severely frozen or corroded. For this you need a bolt extractor. exhaust bolts are something you'll need the extractor for, dont even waste your time with ez outs. Ez outs are great for screws, or even allen bolts that strip. But the trick is to drill a fairly deep hole and take a ex out that is larger and pound it with a hammer. Ive never used a ez out and failed to extract the screw or bolt because i dont use it where it obviously won't work. The best 200 I've ever spent was the Irwin Hansen master extractor set(irw30101010) from tooltopia. Come with ez outs, bolt extractors, left hand bits, and another set i dont know the name of but they are similar to ez outs but sockets basically. Never ran into a stripped nut,bolt,or screw i couldnt remove with this set

 

[otis66]

Easy outs have always worked for me.

 

[CoSnipe]

They work when you use them correctly

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I've had them work, but it was way more work than just drilling, and re-tapping.

Now, I just grind the bolt off flush, and center punch as carefully as I can. Then drill close to the original size. Sometimes, you can just start a tap in there, and the old bolt will get cut out. Sometimes it's a little off center, but it's usually close enough. If I have to, a size larger usually works.