Date:         Sat, 18 Sep 2004 01:46:15 -0600
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Anonymous Digest <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      OT Drilling out a bolt. Expertise solicited.

Hi all.

This post is more of a solicitation of the expert experience of the list,
as opposed to a vanagon topic. Hope no one will mind.

My van is running fine, but the stabilizer link on my Taurus is bad and I
wasted most of today trying to remove it. To keep it really sort, I think
the only solution to a bolt that simply will not give, is to drill it out.
I am assuming its a hardened bolt. on the link itself, and as I look at
it, I am a bit incredulous about being able to drill such a chunk of
steel. Its about a five eighths inch bolt, so I am guessing start with a
small bit, and get bigger rather than trying to get it all at once.

Basically, what I am wondering is, can I do this? Anyone ever drilled such
a beast? What type of bit, if any, would survive such an ordeal? I guess
anything is possible, but within reason, is drilling such a bolt possible?

Obviously, I have never done such a thing, and I am hoping others have,
and would provide the opinion and experience so I don't waste my time
doing something likely to fail.

Thanks for the space, I appreciate any words of advice.

John