Calling Boneheaddoctor... Rocker bolt #5 broke off despite correct torque. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300DPETE · #1 11-28-2005, 09:49 PM

1982 300D.

Well, again, coming near to end, my luck tanked.

I was tightening down the last rocker arm bolt (previous four to 28 foot-lbs, no problem), when it broke with the thread part in the head.

Can someone rescue me here. I don't know who's karma I messed with, but all I did was tighten the bolts to the correct torque and one managed to break on me.

I take it I can only have it towed now. Is this going to require a new head? Does someone want to make some money on the side quick?

Boneheaddoctor, can you spare some mercy on a neighbor?

If no one can help, does anyone have an estimate on this repair? Is it illegal to sell my body to science to raise the funds?

Pete.

P.S. I was so looking forward to finally adjusting the valves and closing it up to see what she sounds like.

dkveuro · #2 11-28-2005, 09:59 PM

Was that bolt the correct grade.....think they's 10.5's....?

.

lietuviai · #3 11-28-2005, 10:00 PM

Looks like alll the rockers have to come off for you to get to the broken bolt. Then all you have to do is get an "easy out" broken bolt extractor. Don't buy a cheap one as you will end up breaking it off into the bolt.

300DPETE · #4 11-28-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Was that bolt the correct grade.....think they's 10.5's....?

I don't know. It was the one already in there.

dkveuro · #5 11-28-2005, 10:03 PM

Yeah....pull the cam and the end should just unscrew.

.

300DPETE · #6 11-28-2005, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

Looks like alll the rockers have to come off for you to get to the broken bolt. Then all you have to do is get an "easy out" broken bolt extractor. Don't buy a cheap one as you will end up breaking it off into the bolt.

Where can I get a good one, and should I trust myself to this? I'll gladly pay someone to do this right in my driveway. I seem to be cursed when the valve cover is off.

300DPETE · #7 11-28-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkveuro

Yeah....pull the cam and the end should just unscrew.

.

I need to pull the cam? Won't pulling the rocker arms suffice?

whunter · #8 11-28-2005, 10:11 PM

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&verticalFullName=Tools&keyword=bolt+extractor&displayTarget=searchresults&gobutton.x=15&gobutton.y=13

Elktonjohn · #9 11-28-2005, 10:14 PM

Cheap bolt extracter/easy out BAD. Snap-On perhaps Craftsman? If there is even a 1/4 inch of bolt left above lip a chisel might drive it around, else...ugh.

300DPETE · #10 11-28-2005, 10:18 PM

Where's the best place for a replacment bolt?

Thanks,

Pete.

P.S. The offer is still out for anyone who wants to take up the challenge and lives near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

boneheaddoctor · #11 11-28-2005, 10:23 PM

do you know anyone with a left hand drill bit set....that may be enough to do it...unfortunately I have ZERO devices for broken bolt extractions as I have never needed them thus far....I tend to buy what I need when I need it...did it get this cross threaded..or by chance was any of the bolts longer than the rest and you got a long bolt in a shallow hole? Was you local to me? I forget. Someone here will have a parts engine you can score a bolt off of....my spare engine is a strong runner so am not stripping parts from it at all. Get that part off the car and see if there is anything above the surface of the head to get a bite on....you may get lucky, many bolts shear off right at the end of the threads at the begining of the shoulder.

lietuviai · #12 11-28-2005, 10:24 PM

Probably the stealership.
With your luck, you'd be better off replacing all your bolts.

Elktonjohn · #13 11-28-2005, 10:26 PM

What luck?

300DPETE · #14 11-28-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

do you know anyone with a left hand drill bit set....that may be enough to do it...unfortunately I have ZERO devices for broken bolt extractions as I have never needed them thus far....I tend to buy what I need when I need it...did it get this cross threaded..or by chance was any of the bolts longer than the rest and you got a long bolt in a shallow hole? Was you local to me? I forget. Someone here will have a parts engine you can score a bolt off of....my spare engine is a strong runner so am not stripping parts from it at all. Get that part off the car and see if there is anything above the surface of the head to get a bite on....you may get lucky, many bolts shear off right at the end of the threads at the begining of the shoulder.

Want to be the proud owner of a nice new bolt extractor of your choice (along with whatever other tools are necessary)? Pull this puppy and help me with the rocker arms (seeing as I'm jinxed) and its yours (in addition to additional funds for your time). I'm going to post a picture in a moment here.

I'm about a mile south of the Telegraph exit on I-495 (near the Huntington Metro Station) just outside of Alexandria, VA.