removing broken bolt from fuel tank flange

[mj85]

was trying to replace weak fuel pump this past weekend and snapped 2 bolts on flange. thanks to jonm tip with the PB blaster penetrating lube it seems i got the others free. just wondering the best way to remove and replace the two broken studs still in the tank . i'm leary of drilling them out. maybe an easyout? any tips or ideas thanks for the help.

[taegdh]

Question: Are these the ones which are on the top of the tank, which hold the filler neck in place? If so, I wouldn't recommend drilling unless you FILL the tank with a non flamable, non corrosive liquid, and then it would be best to have it out of the car and use a pneumatic drill rather than an electric.

Otherwise: Try screwing them into the tank if you can get ahold of the protruding studs with a small vise grip, and turning to get the remainder of it in. You're going to have to take your time with it because you're probably dropping more gunge into the tank, and should consider cleaning it out completely once you remove the studs and procure replacements, (hopefully stainless).

taegdh

[mj85]

thanks ill try this weekend

MJ85, MORE PB BLASTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They WILL come out, YOUR JUST GOINGTO HAVE WORK AT IT!!!! GOOD LUCK!! Your halfway there!!

[HallenTi]

I was just about to post a similar message when I searched and found this... exactly what I needed. I was going to replace the fuel pump and was slowly, carefully loostening the bolts and I too broke two of the 9 that hold the flange to the top of the tank. I stopped at that point! I hadn't used my PB, assuming that with the way the flange covered the top of the tank that the PB wouldn't reach the threads at all. I will do a little shot of PB over MANY days (i'm not in a big hurry), then try once more. Thanks to CAC I found my answer - again! Thanks! Tim