A friction bolt assembly has a tubular friction bolt body defining a cavity and having a split. A rod extends through the cavity. An expansion element is mounted on the rod at or toward the rod leading end and protrudes through the friction bolt body leading end. The expansion element has an engagement surface tapering toward the rod trailing end. A drive head is mounted on the rod at or adjacent the rod trailing end. The rod is actuatable by rotation of the drive head to draw the expansion element toward the friction bolt body trailing end such that the engagement surface engages the friction bolt body, radially outwardly deforming the friction bolt body.