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More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge block.
http://maplifiers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2364		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Snaxocaster [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge block.
Sad face. :( I just noticed this... Well, putting the trem arm back in. There's enough threading left- barely- to get in in there but... Aw, hell, how can I remove the broke-off bit?

For the record, I have no clue how this happened, as I don't use the trem much, and never for divebomb-y things. Nor is it set to float, so no pulling up on the bar either. It functions, but I'm still irked.
Author:  chris_d [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
Son of a bitch. I have never had that happen, actually. I have had other bolts break off in things though, and it is always a pain in the dick. I usually end up using my drill and no small amount of brutality.

Some of the Am. Std. strats, i think have removable jibjab that would make getting to the screw block easier? Yours might be older than that though, i think it is more of a recent thing. Actually, as i think of it and try to remember, i think that those ones might be ones with press in bars, not screw in ones, anyhow...
Author:  Devtron [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
Something sticky that can provide a good grip on the end of the broken arm or a similarly thick stick jabbed into the hole could possibly be used to unscrew it.

I know it's a bit vague but I think you get the concept. Superglue and a proper-sized dowel has worked for me before.
Author:  Snaxocaster [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
I'm reasonably certain I get the concept. I'd actually considered doing the same with the remainder of the trem arm but I think it's a bit thick for that and then I'd really never get the broken bit out. I'd much rather replace the arm than the whole block, which I fear is what it would come to if I had to drill it out- the threads would be destroyed.
Author:  chris_d [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
From working on rusty car parts, i have had to drill out enough things that i don't mess up the threads anymore. :red:

If you go with glue, obviously be sooooooper careful to only use the tiniest amount so that none can wick into the threads and make everything worse. Maybe go for that gel-style superglue. Normal superglue can be as watery/runny as a very watery/runny thing.
Author:  Snaxocaster [ Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
I think I have some of that kicking about in my Box Of Random Shit™. The glue, that is, not rusty car parts.

Also, congratulations on post #6500. It's a nice round number.
Author:  Unstrung [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
I think the 'block' can be unscrewed from the base of the bridge, via screws on the side where strings are fed through. Doing so might reveal some more workable area of the threaded shaft to crank it out with some pliers?
Author:  torgeot [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
Not sure if you can see the top of the broken threaded piece but this would be an option if you can get to it.
Author:  Devtron [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
The good thing is, this shit happens all the time. Sooooo even if you have issues getting that sunavabitch out of there, any tech worth his weight will have a method for getting snapped trem arms out.

If you feel adventurous though, it could be time to break down an reassemble the bridge. Would make a fine opportunity to force yourself to reset the action and intonation too.
Author:  Snaxocaster [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
I already lowered the action- I needed to track down a .050 allen wrench- and have the intonation nice and proper. I've been tracking with the thing. :red:

Re: visibility, the snapped-off bit is very visible from the top. I haven't removed the plate over the tremolo cavity yet, so I don't know if I can get at it from underneath. I don't think the block is shallow enough to allow that, but it's been a good long time since I've looked in there.
Author:  metalfanat1c [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More Strat woes- trem arm snapped off in the bridge bloc
EZ-out. Any hardware store or auto parts store will have them. Go to sales rep, ask for EZ-out.

It's like a drillbit that has grabby things on it. The grabby things do the same job as the spikes on the road that you can drive over one way but pop your tires when you go over them the other way.
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