# Removing a broken head Bolt **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 18, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316 "2009-04-18T18:12:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Timmerg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Timmerg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Timmerg)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/1 "2009-04-18T18:12:30Z")
Hi, I’m helping a friend with his '89 4Runner. One of the head bolts broke off leaving 4" sticking out of the block. We haven’t tackled it yet beyond squirting some AeroKroil on it. Any other hints? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/2 "2009-04-18T19:11:48Z")
First thing that comes to mind is a dedicated stud remover. Put vise grips down on your list. Do you think the bolt broke due to continued twisting when bottemed out? or is this a bolt that broke because it was week? any thread jamming going on? Lets us know about AeroKroil what are its properties? I have never heard of it. ---
**Author:** ![Timmerg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Timmerg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Timmerg)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/3 "2009-04-18T19:25:21Z")
The bolt broke during removal. The head had too many problems to go into here but a number of the bolt shafts were full of soot and hard carbon. One bolt required close to 30 ft/lbs the entire way out. Aero Kroil is made by Kano industries. It is largely used in industrial maintenance. The can advertises that it can creep into openings as small as one millionth of an inch and dissolves gum, grease, oil, rust and carbon deposits. After soaking it again with this I’ll try a good pair of vise grips. Any other suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/4 "2009-04-18T19:38:54Z")
Yes like I said, don’t start out with vise grips. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/5 "2009-04-18T21:27:02Z")
Apply heat to the broken bolt and then let it cool back down before removal is attempted. This will cause the bolt to expand when it’s heated, and then shrink back down as it cools. Sometimes this is enough to cause the bond to release at the threads, and will also allow the penetrating oil to get down to the threads through capillary action. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Timmerg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Timmerg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Timmerg)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/6 "2009-04-18T23:01:11Z")
What is a stud remover? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/7 "2009-04-18T23:08:59Z")
Autozone has 3 different models $20,$25,$30 for sale not rent, made by the same company that makes vise grip. ---
**Author:** ![Timmerg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Timmerg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Timmerg)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/8 "2009-04-25T16:16:53Z")
I bought one at NAPA that uses a knurled cam to grab the side of the stud. It has a socket for a 1/2" drive breaker bar. It was pricey but it worked a beaut! ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/removing-a-broken-head-bolt/29316/9 "2009-04-25T17:24:01Z")
I would think a pipe wrench would be better than vice grips. I use a small one I can put a cheater bar on if needed.