Bed Rail bolt snapped below the surface

Had my bed sprayed and at the time said I wasn't going to use the side bed rails. Long story short there was enough spray liner in the hole that when i started to screw the bed rail bolt in (cause now I want to use them, FML) it snapped off below the surface. Can I drill it out and put a plus nut in its place? I've searched on here and Taco sites and it mostly contains bolt heads stripped or snapped off with some bolt being accessible. If this was asked/solved please point me in the right direction. Thanks

 

Welcome aboard from SoCal.

 

Get yourself a set of “easy out” extractors and a small drill bit. (As big as you can make it given the bolt size) Drill the snapped bolt and tap the easy out into the bolt with a hammer and use a small crescent wrench to back out the bolt. Good luck!

 

Agree with @Geo4x4. Drill, then try to extract the stub without damaging the threads. If those bolts are M6, then it'll require a careful hand and a sharp drill bit.

Since the screw stub is in a hole with asphalt-based gummy stuff, I recommend you treat the hole/threads liberally and frequently with penetrating oil, PB Blaster, or mineral spirits to dissolve the crud in the threads. This will reduce the friction in the threads and enhance your chances of success. Just don't let the solvent dribble down onto your bed liner. Protect your bed liner with plastic, or the solvent will soften that as well.

If you have any of those bolts left, I would use a same size tap to (carefully) clean out the threads before attempting to install.

 

Welcome from Ohio

 

Try removing the bolt with a left hand drill bit. They usually bite into the bolt with enough grip to spin out what's left. If that doesn't work, use a screw extractor. Then get an M6-1 tap and clean out the holes. I had to retap the holes in mine, but it was mainly rust with a little bit of the spray in bed liner. Once I had them clear, I used a q-tip and some oil to keep the rust from coming back before I installed the rails.

 

I was afraid that was the consenses. I have a few extractor bits around I'll see if one is small enough, if not I'll grab one and try it. Not gonna lie, I was really hoping to just drill that shit out and slap a plus nut in. Geo4x4, John and Randy Thanks for the quick response.

 

UPDATE. I was able to get the rest of the bolt to turn using an extractor bit BUT it did not snap flush so my hole was not centered. I should have took some pics but once it stopped turning I took the tail light off, the plastic on top of the bed rail and PRESTO! the rest of the bolt was protruding where I could use pliers albeit 1/20th of a turn at a time continue the bolt through. WHEW!!! done!!! I greatly appreciate the suggestions Geo4x4, JohnLakeman and Randy Morton. Oh and yeah I used the tap to go over the rest of the holes. Again thanks