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Any Idea's ???

wornout wrench

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Feb 17, 2012
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canada
Not a good day.

Have a problem with one of our log loaders.
Went to change out the Rexroth slave spool only to find that some $%#@*&^:mad::mad: before me, tired to take the allen head bolts out with a speed ball allen wrench and broke the ball off in the bolt.
Little sucker takes a 3/16 allen wrench and is set down in a hole about 3".

Anybody have a tip for getting it out.
I tried picking at it with an "O" ring pick but too hard to get a purchase on it.
The ball rocks in the socket, just can't seem to get it out.
I thought maybe a carbide bit but I don't have one small enough with a long enough shank to fit down the hole. Tried to buy one and can't find what I want.

HELP!!!:eek::Banghead
 

DigDug

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Dec 11, 2005
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Maine
Can u get some vise grips down the hole and grab the outside of allen head? Magnet maybe? Pressure washer blowing down on it may force it out , try a needle grease gun by putting the needle down past the ball and try to force out? Good luck. doug
 

wornout wrench

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Unfortunately, the hole it is down just has clearance for the bolt head so maybe 9/16".
Hard to get anything down to it.

Gum on the end of a stick hahaha.

Got to laugh about this kind of thing, but would I ever like to have a word with the guy that broke the allen wrench off.
Hopefully he learned from his mistake.
 

Delmer

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I was going to say get a round neodynium magnet and epoxy it to a bolt to reach in, but I really like the pressure washer idea.
 

ps66x4

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Nov 10, 2013
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CT
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cement mason
Maybe a small stick with some super glue? or a really small welding rod, try to get it to weld on so you can pull on it? Ive done the welding rod on stuff like that before just not that small.
 

Mike L

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Texas
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can you drill it? maybe one of those extensions that you use in a drill or die grinder? drill it, drive an e-z out in it and pull it out.
 

wornout wrench

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canada
The magnet Idea might just work.
Pressure washer not in the cards, machine in bush and no water on service truck (yet)
I thought about a welding rod but with my luck, things would go sideways in a hurry.

I have a new valve to put on.
The problem is something went though the spool and scored the crap out of it so now it sticks. polished the daylights out of it but no good.
If worse comes to worse, will get a zip disc and cut through the side of the block and cut the head off the bolt but am afraid I might pollute the system and cause more damage.

Big hammer came to mind and practice my golf swing.

The allen key will be hard as the hubs of hell so drilling would be next to impossible.
I wanted to get a long carbide burr for my die grinder but can't find one that will reach, hence the problem
 
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Mike L

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do you mean letting a welding rod stick to it and pull it out?
 

mitch504

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Andrews SC
Can you tip it upside down and whack the socket head?

Y'all stole my good ideas, (magnet and welding), so I'll just pick on Delmer:

Yes, you can turn a log loader upside down, I've seen it done, but it's not reccomended.
 

Delmer

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Y'all stole my good ideas, (magnet and welding), so I'll just pick on Delmer:

Yes, you can turn a log loader upside down, I've seen it done, but it's not reccomended.

Don't want to go to that trouble, fine, pack a little black powder into the socket, hopefully around and under the "ball head", carefully brush/vacuum the extra out of the hole, and drop a match.
 

kshansen

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Central New York, USA
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The magnet Idea might just work.
Pressure washer not in the cards, machine in bush and no water on service truck (yet)
I thought about a welding rod but with my luck, things would go sideways in a hurry.

Here's an Idea that could work. Welding rod to it, but with a twist.

Get a wooden dowel that just fits down the hole then drill a hole down the center of the dowel just big enough for the welding rod. Now carefully slid it in the hole and the dowel will keep the welding rod centered. Could even use a section of coat hanger if you don't have small enough welding rod. If it's loose enough to wiggle you don't need a perfect weld to pull it out.

If you use this idea and it works you buy coffee next time I'm in town! If it doesn't work you didn't here it from me!:tong
 

wornout wrench

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Feb 17, 2012
Messages
740
Location
canada
Here's an Idea that could work. Welding rod to it, but with a twist.

Get a wooden dowel that just fits down the hole then drill a hole down the center of the dowel just big enough for the welding rod. Now carefully slid it in the hole and the dowel will keep the welding rod centered. Could even use a section of coat hanger if you don't have small enough welding rod. If it's loose enough to wiggle you don't need a perfect weld to pull it out.

If you use this idea and it works you buy coffee next time I'm in town! If it doesn't work you didn't here it from me!:tong

I like it!!!!!
It just might work.:notworthy
It is such a small hole to go through I was scared to put a rod down it, fearing that I would hit the side of the valve or weld the hex ball to the bolt.
Never though of a dowel.

Coffee is definitely on me if you ever get up my way, heck, its on me even if it doesn't work.:drinkup
 

Delmer

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I was thinking drilling out the ball would be tough, but if you end up welding the whole mess together it would just make it easier to drill off the whole bolt head (unless you'll then have to tip the truck upside down to get the valve off of the headless bolt???).

I've drilled stuff like this with ordinary masonry carbide bits, just sharpen them up and keep sharpening until you're through, go slow. Grind down the sides of the carbide so it will just slide into the hole and it will be centered.
 

Scrub Puller

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Mar 29, 2009
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Gladstone Queensland Australia
Yair . . . wornout wrench. As I understand stud is three inches down what in effect is about a 9/16'' pilot hole?

Would it be possible to make up a carbide tipped cutting tool bevelled to take off the outer diameter of the capscrew until such time as you can thin the wall of the hex cavity to the stage you can bust the ball out of there with a pin punch?

Having done that it should be possible to flip it out of there with a blast of air and then go in with another tool and mill the head completely off the capscrew so you can then lift the assembly off the stub.

All this presupposes you have a decent small magnetic base drill/mill and have room to jury weld a heavy duty base.

A bit of messing around but could be a better option than risking contamination of your hydraulic system.

Woops . . . Delmer beat me to it, he's suggesting much the same.

Cheers.
 
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