The Beydler Manibolt Driller, designed to save technicians time when replacing broken manifold bolts, allows users to drill on-center and perpendicular. The company offers templates for Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and GM vehicles. In addition to the templates, technicians will need bushing clamps, flathead screws, drill bits, and taps. These tools are made in the U.S.A.
The review
Performing a stud removal is a difficult task that is unpopular with many of the technicians at DeMary Truck in Columbus, Ohio. But shop owner Eric Moore says the Beydler Manibolt Driller made this arduous job easier and faster to complete.
“The Beydler Manibolt Driller Kit was fairly substantial in saving time doing a job that never is easy,” Moore says. “The centering jig worked great and kept the bit from walking.
“We liked the template and jigs – the way they lined up with the existing bolt holes, which made it more seamless to use,” he continues. “We couldn’t put a definite dislike on any features – unless of course there were replacement studs included in the kit to make it a one-stop-shop.”
Moore and his technicians used the Beydler Manibolt Driller on several Ford vehicles, noting specifically a 1998 F-150 with a 4.6L engine and a 2005 F-450 with a 6.0L.
“None of these vehicles are very fun to perform stud removal on to begin with. However, the jig made it less painful than the norm when not using it,” he says.
The tool arrived packaged in a blow molded case with all the adapters, jigs, and drill bits for Ford V8 engines, 4.6L, 5.4L, and 6.8L. Additionally, an instruction card is included. Moore also watched YouTube videos with a couple of techs to better understand the process.
“It’s not something an apprentice could jump right into, but it is a great tool for learning the job with an experienced tech alongside,” Moore says.
To set up, the exhaust manifold needs to be removed, and Moore found that cutting off the broken end of the stud or bolt to about 3/16” to 1/4” proud of the head worked best. “Once the size of the fasteners has been determined, it involves selecting the corresponding centering jig,” explains Moore. “Mount the template to the head using the other cylinder ports bolt holes, which keeps the template steady. Set the jig in place over the affected area and start drilling.”
Moore says his techs had varied opinions, but several may be influenced by their dislike for this type of job. “They hate having to do extractions in general, so we weren’t winning them over regardless,” Moore says, adding a number of technicians loved the tool.
One of Moore’s techs has a similar tool from another company. He says the Beydler tool was easier to set up. “This is when we found that cutting the stud or bolt flush, with a small amount being proud of the head worked best, helping to center the jig more squarely and providing a flat surface,” Moore says.
As far as improvements, Moore says he and his techs like the de-burring tool that came with the other company’s kit. “If we could use that in conjunction with the Beydler Manibolt Driller, it might make it even smoother to use.”
