How to Use a Stud Extractor Tool

There's not much that can be more frustrating than dealing with a stud that has been broken off, and we've all tried the same old ways to remove them pliers, vise grip pliers, and we all know how that ends up. Such was the case after pulling the engine in my truck to discover 3 exhaust manifold bolts broken off in the head, luckily there was still a lot of the stud sticking out. Of course, I tried the usual methods without any success, so after a quick search on Speedway Motors website, I found a 3/8” Stud Extractor Speedway Motors Part Number 728-16023.

I was extremely amazed at the simplicity of this tool and how easily, and how great it worked. As you can see this is one of the three studs that are broken off in the head.

The stud extractor's simplistic design is in the three jaws that grip the broken stud with amazing strength allow even the toughest frozen studs to be removed quickly and easily.

The first thing is to make sure the small nut is loosened up enough for the extractor to slide over the nut. The extractor nut has left-hand threads so turning the nut to the right (clockwise) opens up the jaws, and turning the nut to the left (counter-clockwise) closes the jaws. Then slide the extractor over the broken stud, and then tighten the nut by hand, and then using the 2 adjustable wrenches tighten the nut securely.

The stud extractor will remove studs from 1/4”-1/2” and (6mm-12mm) size studs and the hex head makes it possible to use either a wrench or socket, while the 3/8” drive makes it suitable for using a ratchet or an impact. I chose to use a 3/8” drive ratchet, and within a couple turns the stud was loose and on its way out.

Now using the same adjustable wrenches loosen the nut (clockwise) and remove the broken stud from the extractor.

If you have any more studs to remove, just repeat the above procedure to remove them quickly and easily.