Windstopper Pin Removal

Go careful, I had exactly the same issue and my mate took on the task of drilling a small pilot hole the drill bit snapped and drill damaged the paintwork. So now I am looking for viable options to get to the broken stud from under. If you view online videos of when timing belts are done, seats and firewall carpets are removed, it may then be possible to get at them from under. Once my car comes out of winter slumber I'm going to try this and post some pictures. Have you managed to have any success since your post?

 

Is it a pin or is it threaded?... if threaded....Do you have a Dremel tool? Attach a small cutoff wheel and CAREFULLY cut a slot on its head. Then use a straight-slot screwdriver to back it out.

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I suppose if ya don't have a Dremel then chances are ya don't have a MIG welder either cuz it would be needed for my next recommendation to tack a 16p nail to the stub.

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It's a pin, not threaded.

 

It is a pin and not threaded quite right but stuck really well and you really can't get any grip on the broken part if its broken nearly level with the recess.

 

Superglue another piece of plastic to the broken pin. When the glue dries, pull both out. Be careful of how much glue you use.

 

The broken part is so stuck in the there that broke the pin, and we tried all types of long nose pliers and grips nothing gets past the body work safely with enough grip to extract. Warning to all just don't remove your windstop the trouble if it breaks is so much.

 

They should just pull out...

 

Drill baby, drill.

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drilled 3 times, that pin is so tough 3 drill bits broke and remaining sharp end left in drill went sideways and damaged paintwork, my conclusion is to get at it from below but really no access even after removing storage tray. Spoke with a Ferrari tech and he said don't try dismantling that area it was not designed to be done easily. So here is a challenge to our community...Help

 

Thinking outside the box - maybe try freezing the pin using dry ice. I'd first tape the surrounding area to protect the paint, etc. Put a small piece of dry ice on the pin for maybe 10-15 minutes. As it freezes it just may shrink enough to allow extraction. Worth a try.

We do the opposite in aircraft repairs to plug a hole. We remove a round slug of aluminum that is in liquid nitrogen, put it in the hole and when it thaws it swells and plugs the hole.

 

Ah jeez... ya didn't tape off the area with layers of cardboard?

If ya broke bits, then it's hardened tool steel or crappy bits.

Try cyanoacrylate (super glue) and a box nail.. glue the head to the pin let it set until cured. Then apply some PB Blaster (or equivalent penetrant) and holefuppy is lets go.

 

I have the acrylic/plastic version on mine and it's simply held in by snap rings on the end of the pins, so I can't see that drilling will achieve anything because the pin will just rotate. It needs a little puller on it.

 

Might need to make a jig to keep the drill bit from wandering.

 

This is awesome.

 

Grab really hard with pliers and Yyyyyyaaaaannnnnkkkk super hard!!!!!

And put the pliers in dry ice for 15 minutes first!!!!

 

We did tape off the area with 2 layers of Cardboard but the broken bit was so sharp it went through board, We were using quite a small drill bit to get our pilot hole but flexed and broke on 2 bits, but I like you idea I think once out of storage I will try this.

 

This makes sense, would love to try this probably be the easiest solution