mk1 mx5 rear heat return bolt snapped in half

Hi Will, a warm welcome to 'life' 🖐

Sorry i am not very good with the mechanics

but i am sure someone will be along and advise you

Hi Will....Welcome to 'Life' 👋

Sorry to see you're having a bit of trouble, I'd be tempted to say a good pair of Molegrips (difficult to tell what access you have there)....and a bit of gentle heat you may get lucky....As most people will tell you sadly the aluminium 'grows' over the years as it corrodes tightening it's grip on bolts and studs....
And worse case scenario is off with it's head for drilling & re-tapping.

It needs a good overnight soaking in Plus gas or something similar, luckily it seems as though there is enough bolt left to get a pair of Mole Grips on or if you know someone with a stud extractor then borrow that.

willbarra4 said:

Hi there i’m new here, never really used forums before, but i’m will i’m 17 with a mk1 mx5 when putting a new head into my car as i tightened the rear heat return casing bolt it snapped straight in half….
has anyone got any tips to get it out without removing the head?

by looking at my old head, the bolt can come out unlike the other one
View attachment 75835

Click to expand...

Welcome to 'Life' Will, such a shame it's under these circumstances though. I concur with the advice given by both Garffey and Bill, definitely get some heat into it. It may be a bit of a stretch but if you know a local garage with a small induction heater that would be willing to come to you that could work wonders, otherwise a blowtorch with a fine and focused flame, a few sharp taps on the end of the stud with a clouty stick, if room permits would also help, then a pair of molegrips, small stilsons or a stud extractor would hopefully get things moving.

Best of luck and please let us know how you get on with this, always good to hear people's solutions when they come on with problems like this.

Hi Will and welcome to 'life'

As our friends here have already said, please keep us informed with any developments.

Hi Will ! Welcome and good luck with your stud extraction.

willbarra4 said:

Hi there i’m new here, never really used forums before, but i’m will i’m 17 with a mk1 mx5 when putting a new head into my car as i tightened the rear heat return casing bolt it snapped straight in half….
has anyone got any tips to get it out without removing the head?

by looking at my old head, the bolt can come out unlike the other one
View attachment 75835

Click to expand...

Luckily after heating it up it has come free!! thank you everyone, just waiting for the new gasket to come then i’ll be leak free!

Great news, always such a relief when things that go wrong are easily put right 👍👍

willbarra4 said:

Luckily after heating it up it has come free!! thank you everyone, just waiting for the new gasket to come then i’ll be leak free!

Click to expand...

Good stuff!!.... glad we could point you in the right direction!