anyone worried about breakin a shear bolt and then gettin a flat tire on your or somebody else vehicle cause it fell in the snow? i was thinkin maybe wrap some slit heater hose with zip ties around where the bolts are so after they shear they are captured. im new to this...first season
If they are the kind that go through the axle, usually they break into 3 pieces, the head, the nut, and a "slug". Unless the threaded potion of the bolt is excessively long, they're pretty benign to tires.
I've snapped a few shear bolts in my time. I have a dozen of then on hand. There's usually a piece that stays in. It taps out fairly easy. I snowblow areas in the woodyard and sometime will pick up a small piece of wood. Big enough to get stuck. Not much experience with flat tires.
I’ve broken a few over the years. The pieces that aren’t left in the auger are generally too blunt to do any damage. In most cases at least. I’m sure there are rare exceptions.
99% of the time, the slug stays trapped as the axle is moving too fast and the auger flight will push itself outboard, so the hole is no loger aligned. While they aren't at all difficult, you'll be far more aggravated (in the moment) clearing away packed in snow, lining up the holes, and driving the slug out to get the new pins installed.
