please help seat post clamp bolt is broken

[ahmedbadat]

I broke one of the bolts in the seat post clamp, it was stuck and I was trying to get it loose  in the pic you can see how much thread is still inside. is it possible to get it out, or will I need a new seat post clamp?

[Hairy]

vice and vice grips?

[Butterbean]

Yea some pliers and a tight grip will work.

 

Go to local hardware store for a new bolt. They should have one that'll fit.

[PeterF]

You are lucky that you are left with something to grip. Like Hairy said a vice grip should do the trick.

[AdrianDJ]

if gripping tightly doesnt work, sand two opposite flat sides.... and use a spanner 

[ahmedbadat]

thanks everyone for all the advice, will give it a shot tonight and see what happens.

[Amberdrake]

if that does not work you can try cutting a slot and using a flat screwdriver. I would use a vice or vicegrip first tho. I would say soak that in some penetrating spray before trying tho.

[Plentipotential]

If it broke while you were trying to get it out then you may battle to get it out using vice grips, however now that the tension has been released it may well be easier, hopefully that is the case.

 

You have two different materials there and you have over tensioned the socket screw which has elongated the threads of the clamp (aluminium). Downside of cyclists wanting everything to be light! Even if you use aluminium fasteners they are made of a different alloy.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

With a very steady hand you could drill a hole into it and use an easy-out if the grip ideas don't work.

[ahmedbadat]

appreciate all the advice thanks everyone will provide feedback tomorrow as to what happens

[ahmedbadat]

ok so I m sure many couldn't sleep last night, worried about my broken head, well good news I got the thread out thankfully, tried a vice grip first and it worked first time, odd thing is that it didn't seem to be as tight at all as it was before it broke, so thanks again for all the advice. cheers till the next time I break something

[V12man]

monkey on a bianchi, on 07 May 2015 - 09:03 AM, said:

ok so I m sure many couldn't sleep last night, worried about my broken head, well good news I got the thread out thankfully, tried a vice grip first and it worked first time, odd thing is that it didn't seem to be as tight at all as it was before it broke, so thanks again for all the advice. cheers till the next time I break something

When you replace the bolts - remember to replace both....  chances are the other one has similar strength/fatigue issues and will break shortly.

[JXV]

And use a copper or nickel based antiseize paste on the threads of the new bolts so it doesn't happen again.

[Jinga]

2nd CaneRat but I would use a file to flatten the opposite sides, it will be quicker.

Also fit new bolts both sides.

Don't forget to put small amount of copper slip on threads before fitting.

[Sani]

If You get it out and replace the bolt make sure the bolt is the correct length , if the bolt is a fraction to long it bottoms out in hole and it seizes up , looks to Me this is the case why it broke in the first place .

[Shebeen]

3rd most famous bolt after eskom's phantom koeberg one (and usain).