Broken Extractor

Kaldari

Registered
I've gone through one of those "you live and you learn" moments with my busa.

I put a Yosh exhaust on, installed a Power Commander, Laser Jammer, derestrictor switch, and a few other mods, changed the oil, and was down to literally the last two fairing bolts on the left side to be completely done with the bike for now.

Now I usually just hand-tighten the fairing bolts. But I was reading the Suzuki manual, and noticed the ft-lb torque was actually listed for them. I think it said 4 ft-lb. So I get out my 1/4" in-lb wrench, figure out what the conversion is, and start the snug all of them up. I went to tighten one of the bolts and the whole head actually snapped off. This was a bit distressing.. but I just assumed it was a faulty bolt and continued to the next one. I then strip out the alan hole on that one. I said screw torquing them at that point.

I ordered some screw extractors to see if I can sort this mess out myself. I start with the stripped one that still has the head. I make the hole fine, flip the bit, firmly push the bit in the hole with a little speed, but it snaps in half. Since the fairing screws are only threaded half way up the bolt, I then thought maybe I could get a drill bit about the same size as the non-threaded part of the screw, drill in until the head separates, remove the fairing, then just loosen it with a wrench. The problem is that screw extractor is made out of a very hard metal, and I wasn't getting anywhere once I got down to it. So I put some more pressure, trying not to snap the bit.. this works for a little while until BAM. Bit breaks into three pieces and the drill goes hurtling into the fairing.

I was almost afraid to look at what I had done at first, but the damage turned out to be pretty minimal. It did get a tiny scuff mark, and I did curse more than a few times, but it's definitely hideable with a little scratch remover.

So my question is this: Do you guys know of certain bits that are harder than that extractor and can cut into it just a little bit further so I can get the head off? I won't be putting large amounts of pressure on it again so I don't have a repeat of what already happened.

If not, where do you guys recommend I get the screws extracted? What should I look up exactly? A machine shop? Any help is appreciated.
 
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I don't think you will find a bit that will drill an extractor.
I would try a place that stocks Dremel Tool parts, and see what grinding suggestions they have. A good stone at high speed will cut into an extractor.
Good luck!
 
Hmmm..
I'm thinkin'

Gimme a bit....???


First thing...its beer thirty somewhere so take a break...


need pics to drink and scratch head over ?
 
I got the bolt with the head still on just by dremeling a notch into it and using a flat head. I'm not even going to attempt the one that broke off flush with the bike.

I contacted a local machine shop, and he said he could take a look at it Monday to see if he'll touch it. I'll be taking off the rear fairing, so I don't see why he should have any problem with it. I just don't want a repeat of the last one. :whistle:

If you can think of an easy way to get that second one out before Monday, I'm game.

Thanks
 
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