My propshaft snapped the other night, so its time for replacement - problem, one of the bolts on the diff side is stripped to a nub. No this is not my doing, it looks like previous owner put it in with channel locks or something, anyway, no drill I have will put a dent in the bolt, will I have to tow is to a shop to have bolt removed? the shaft broke at the u-joint side so the shaft has to be removerd before truck can move under own power.
Stripped Propshaft bolt - suggestions please
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Ian Turgeon
Cascading Inspiration
Re: Stripped Propshaft bolt - suggestions please
A grinder would be a good tool in this case. Those should be grade 8 bolts so they will be pretty serious...
Maybe one of those sockets i've seen at sears that says it will work with stripped bolts...(looks like a gimick tool)
A grinder would be a good tool in this case. Those should be grade 8 bolts so they will be pretty serious...
Maybe one of those sockets i've seen at sears that says it will work with stripped bolts...(looks like a gimick tool)
Re: Stripped Propshaft bolt - suggestions please
Also maybe heat it up a bit before attacking it with vice grips, never know, could be some locktite on the bolt. Just a suggestion.
Also maybe heat it up a bit before attacking it with vice grips, never know, could be some locktite on the bolt. Just a suggestion.
SY2932
Administrator
Re: Stripped Propshaft bolt - suggestions please
That is your best option IMO. There is a seal inside the front differential that may get cooked if you get carried away with the torch. It will take a 32MM socket and a breaker bar or impact (best method) to remove. Just be sure to mark the relation of the nut on the shaft BEFORE removing it and also count the number of threads sticking out so you can get it back where it belongs.
If heat and vice grips don't get the job done, your only choice is to drill it with a specialized drill, a "die drill" in a drill press. These bits are made specifically for drilling through hardened steel. As you have already found out, a "regular" bit won't even scratch it... However, you won't be able to buy a die drill at your local hardware store. Best bet is to take it to a machine shop to get it removed if you can't do it yourself.
skata said:
That is your best option IMO. There is a seal inside the front differential that may get cooked if you get carried away with the torch. It will take a 32MM socket and a breaker bar or impact (best method) to remove. Just be sure to mark the relation of the nut on the shaft BEFORE removing it and also count the number of threads sticking out so you can get it back where it belongs.
If heat and vice grips don't get the job done, your only choice is to drill it with a specialized drill, a "die drill" in a drill press. These bits are made specifically for drilling through hardened steel. As you have already found out, a "regular" bit won't even scratch it... However, you won't be able to buy a die drill at your local hardware store. Best bet is to take it to a machine shop to get it removed if you can't do it yourself.
Crimson93Ty
PITA new guy
Re: Stripped Propshaft bolt - suggestions please
When you grind the head of the bolt off, all the tension on the threads will release and it "should" come out pretty easy.
When you grind the head of the bolt off, all the tension on the threads will release and it "should" come out pretty easy.
syclonekid43
New member
Re: Stripped Propshaft bolt - suggestions please
beat me to it, but before you weld a nut on it. put a washer in betweet the the 2. this you cant weld the nut to the pinion by mistakebezerk said: