WELP, this didn't work out so well. I tapped the hole, then put in my spacer to push against, and then my 7/16" bolt and once it got snug, I started tightening it down and instead of popping the impeller off, it stripped the hole right out!
So yeah at this point, I'm kind of wishing I had just went with the official tool, but that tool won't do me any good now. Plus its possible the proper tool would have stripped too, then I'd be in the same boat I'm in now but with even more money wasted.
I'm in too deep though, I can't turn back now, I must keep going!
So I'm thinking I get a half inch tap, half inch bolt, and dry again?
What size drill bit should I use for a half inch tap?
AND do I want fine threading, so theres more threads to grab, or coarse threading, so the threads are larger and harder to strip? Which is best in a situation like this?
ALSO should I skip 1/2" all together and to right to something even bigger like a 5/8"? That seems excessive, but I gotta get this impeller off somehow.