BoltLab

Fastener Extraction Method Finder

This tool helps you describe a rounded, stripped, seized, or broken fastener and shows which general approach categories are commonly considered for that condition — or tells you when to stop and get qualified help.

It does not give step-by-step removal instructions, it cannot guarantee that any method will work, and it is not a substitute for inspecting the actual assembly.

Safety first. If this fastener is part of brakes, steering, suspension, airbag or restraint systems, fuel or pressurised systems, or lifting or load-bearing structure, do not use DIY extraction guidance. Get qualified service.

Wear eye protection when working with tools. Read the Disclaimer.

Describe your fastener

The interactive finder needs JavaScript. Without it, the sections below still explain the conditions it covers and link to guides that work without it.

The finder follows fixed, reviewed rules — it does not use AI-generated recommendations. The same answers always give the same result.

Conditions this tool covers

The finder asks which of these best describes the fastener, then asks a few follow-up questions about its geometry, how you can reach it, and what else applies.

What a result shows

Every result separates four things: the condition your answers describe, a general approach category (never a recipe), what needs to be true for that category to be reasonable, and the risks and reasons to stop. Some results are stop or get-qualified-help results; those show no approach category at all.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not give step-by-step removal instructions.
  • It does not give extractor sizes, drill diameters, or pairings. Extractor sizing is specified by each manufacturer; follow the instructions for that particular set. See Screw and Bolt Extractor Types.
  • It does not give torque, speed, or force values, and it does not say how likely any method is to succeed.
  • It does not describe heat, welding, or thread-repair procedures.
  • It does not replace inspecting the actual fastener and the part it is in.

FAQ

Can this tell me which extractor size to buy?

No. Extractor sizing is specified by each manufacturer; follow the instructions for that particular set. This tool does not give sizes, drill diameters, or pairings.

Does it guarantee my bolt will come out?

No. The tool classifies a condition and describes general approach categories. It cannot guarantee that any method will work, and results depend on the actual fastener, the part it is in, and the tools used.

Is a rusty bolt automatically seized?

No. Corrosion can contribute to a fastener seizing, but visible rust alone does not show whether it will turn. The tool asks about corrosion and about whether the fastener actually will not turn as separate questions.

When should I stop and get qualified help?

Stop and get qualified help if the fastener is part of a safety-critical assembly, if a hardened tool piece such as an extractor, drill bit, or tap has broken off in it, if you cannot reach the fastener squarely enough to line up a drill, or if a drilled hole has missed the centre. The tool also stops when your answers are not enough to classify the condition.

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