Snapped a bolt on a 2008 F-150 at 6pm, fixed it with a welding trick

I was replacing a manifold on a customer's truck in Gary and the last stud twisted off flush. Grabbed a nut, welded it onto the broken piece, and backed it out clean in ten minutes. Anyone else keep a cheap wire welder handy just for this?

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annabennett13d ago

Man, is it bad that my first thought when I snap a bolt is "welding time" instead of "maybe try the drill first"? I've definitely welded a few nuts on that were just holding a puddle of oil and grime, and yeah, that pop off is a special kind of heartbreak.

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the_robin13d ago

Ever tried reverse drilling with a left-hand bit before you break out the welder? Sometimes that catches the stud and spins it out on its own, saves you from arcing near fuel lines or sensors. But honestly, that weld trick is the ole reliable. I keep a $99 flux core just for this kinda junk, beats chasing helicoils at 9pm in a muddy lot. Just make sure you clean the broken end good, that oil film will make the weld pop off and then you're really screwed.

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