peliot

I was removing a rusted water bottle cage screw last night, and the head sheared right off when I applied some force to try to get it out. The screw sticks out a mm or so (it had come out several turns before it broke). Any ideas on how to remove it and leave the mount usable for a new screw? the frame is steel.
thanks!

F1_Fan

1) Being very careful you could use a Dremel or hacksaw to cut a slot in the bolt to accept a flat screwdriver but I bet the bolt is stuck too tight for that to help so...

2) Drill a small hole through the centre of the bolt and use an extractor. Any good LBS will have the tools or you can get an extractor set from Sears. You'll want the smallest size they have, I imagine.

Some rust penetrant in the threads would be helpful too.

rmfnla

Your LBS probably won't have a screw extractor (for sale), but Sears or any decent HW store will.

F1_Fan

Ya, I meant they'd have to tools to do it for him...

Paul W.

A product called PB Blaster is a great rust penetrant. Available at auto parts stores. I use it on my cars all the time. Spray it on. Let it soak for a few hours, then spray it on again. For stubborn bolts, I let it sit overnight. The tips on cutting a screwdriver slot and drilling a hole for an Easy Out (AKA Screw extractor) are right on target. If you do drill, be sure to precisely center the hole.

In the future, be sure to spray a little lubricant on your other nuts and bolts before removing them. More than likely, if this one was rusted, others may be also.

Old Yeller

If the end of the bolt inside the frame is heavily corroded, it may be easer to drill a small hole in the bolt for a screw extractor but use a normal right thread screw and screw the bolt into the frame. Then remove bottom bracket and you should be able to retrieve the broken bolt from the frame.

slowpedal53

Is the bolt sticking out enough to grab it with vice grips? If so, you'll be able to lock them and turn it out...