A bracket for mounting a TV was attached to my brick fireplace by the previous home owner. All that remains now are four little metal tubes, which I think are leftover parts of some kind of anchor bolts. There are no threads in these tubes.
I would like to reuse the existing holes to mount my TV. Is there a fastener that would be compatible with and safe to use in these tubes? Should I try to remove the tubes, or am I better off drilling new holes?
I think what you have are similar to these, sleeve and taper nut anchor bolts:
If you're real lucky, the nuts are still properly positioned and you can screw bolts back into them. I wouldn't bother though, my preferred masonry screws are Tapcons. I thought this question was going to be about lead wedge anchors, which if not totally deformed, you could use again. These I wouldn't reuse even if I got 'lucky'. Tap the sleeves in with a hammer or grind them off if they don't budge (you don't want to crack the wall).
If you don't have a grinder, you could fold the sleeve in on itself using a hammer and a flat head, working your way around in a circle.
You might be able to remove the sleeves with alligator tipped 'locking pliers' (aka, needle nosed vise grips) and a hammer, to reuse the holes for the same type of fasteners. Make sure you get all the parts of the old fastener out.
Remove or sink those sleeves. Use Tapcons.
