Can't Get Damn Front Propshaft Off

[ERover82]

There's no room for any kind of tool on these nuts. I can't even get a single short 3/8 drive 14mm socket to fit on one. The stupid yoke is in the way. An open ended wrench is just about the only thing that sort of fits but it doesn't even sit all the way down and has begun rounding off the head already. What am I missing???

 

[Jake1996D1]

There's no room for any kind of tool on these nuts. I can't even get a single short 3/8 drive 14mm socket to fit on one. The stupid yoke is in the way. An open ended wrench is just about the only thing that sort of fits but it doesn't even sit all the way down and has begun rounding off the head already. What am I missing???

Take the diff side off first should be fairly easy.. even easier if front wheels are in air and truck is in N. After the front is off you can move the shaft around and shift from P to N and vise versa to move the shaft so you can get to the nuts. I cut my t-case side bolts out the first time I did it and replaced them with new grade 8 and fresh nyloc nuts.

 

[Tugela]

You're not alone, Eric. If you do a search in this forum you should be able to find the thread from last month or so when a number of useful tips were given for freeing the nuts on a drive shaft. There were a number of elucidating suggestions, including torches, chemicals, 14mm open ended wrenches, and a specific order of operations.

 

[JohnB]

2 5/8s open end wrenches always works for me.

 

[fishEH]

2 5/8s open end wrenches always works for me.

Uhhhh, I think you mean 9/16". Mark the orientation for each end of the DS. Remove the diff side first. Put the Transfer Case in Neutral. You should now be able to remove the nuts on the transfer case side of the DS. Remove the bottom two, then rotate the shaft to gain easy access to the top two. Toss a pipe wrench on the DS if you need to keep it from spinning. ONLY use a 6 point combination wrench, 9/16" or 14mm, to break the nuts loose. Once loose you can use the open end wrench or 12pt wrench/socket. Get new nylocks from McMaster, 3/8"-24 grade 8.

 

[Brockflock]

There is also a tool from Rovers North:

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-17519-prop-shaft-socket-special-tool.aspx

It may cost a little bit, and you might not want to wait for the ship time, but just a suggestion. Good luck.

 

[JohnB]

Uhhhh, I think you mean 9/16".

Oops. The 9/16 does seem to fit better than 14mm but most will argue they are the same. Once broken loose. I find a 1/4 inch ratchet with extension and 9/16 socket can speed up removal.

 

[Jake1996D1]

Oops. The 9/16 does seem to fit better than 14mm but most will argue they are the same. Once broken loose. I find a 1/4 inch ratchet with extension and 9/16 socket can speed up removal.

Wrong 14mm open is the way.

 

[roverover]

Drive shaft tool is the answer I am sure they are available for less that $35 too but a 1/4 in socket on an extension just may work once they are loose.

Open end wrench..............you guys are funny

 

[ptschram]

Wrong 14mm open is the way.

In the immortal words of Brian Bonner and Perrone Ford "YOU ARE WRONG"! (if you were around for their epic arguments, you'd appreciate it)

9/16 is the correct size wrench and using one will reduce the likelihood of scarring the bolt head.

Yes, I know they are damned near the same, but I still suggest using the correct wrench for the fastener.

 

[ptschram]

Open end wrench..............you guys are funny

There are few box end wrenches that will fit without modification and I'd like to see the one that will fit around the captive bolt on the transfer case side.

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

After rounding off one head with a 14mm, I've had to hold the other head with the wrench and spin off the rounded nut by tapping it around with a cold chisel, then a centerpunch, and hammer. No room for a nut breaker in there.

Also, I've got same sized wrenches of different makes (old vs new craftsman, s-k) that are just different enough to save my ass in some of those situations. I try them all, and use the tightest one.

Bench grinders have been used to successfully modify box wrenches. too. Go slow and quench often to keep the steel from discoloring and loosing its temper.

 

[Jake1996D1]

In the immortal words of Brian Bonner and Perrone Ford "YOU ARE WRONG"! (if you were around for their epic arguments, you'd appreciate it)

9/16 is the correct size wrench and using one will reduce the likelihood of scarring the bolt head.

Yes, I know they are damned near the same, but I still suggest using the correct wrench for the fastener.

OK FINE I should never say somebody is right or wrong.. I know what size the bolt/nut are but from my own personal experience the 14 MM is smaller and tigheter fit which I THINK is better when using the box end of a wrench.

 

[Durt D1ver]

I used a 1/4" drive 9/16th socket, on a wobble extension. Worked great for me when I pulled mine.

 

[ptschram]

OK FINE I should never say somebody is right or wrong.. I know what size the bolt/nut are but from my own personal experience the 14 MM is smaller and tigheter fit which I THINK is better when using the box end of a wrench.

LOL-you had to be there, I guess.

As somebody said, different brands, made at different times might fit differently.

 

[Jake1996D1]

LOL-you had to be there, I guess.

As somebody said, different brands, made at different times might fit differently.

yea before my time i suppose!

I bought a set of wrenchs from harbor freight that work on both metric and standard. Work wonders for slightly rounded off bolts.

 

[jymmiejamz]

If you don't have a driveshaft tool, a 9/16" socket on a wobble extension works well. It is definitely not 14mm.

 

[crown14]

Wow, open ended wrenches? You guys really are gluttons for punishment. I do not jack the truck up OR put the tcase in neutral and very very very rarely have any problem at all. When I do, its compressing the slipyoke in order to pull the shaft out, which is a lot easier if you pull the grease fitting/plug out.

 

[jhk07]

1 open end wrench. (1) 3/8 drive ratchet. Never done it on the trail. Several times in the driveway.


I borrowed one of those "specialty" tools (from AB or where ever) at MAR last year, I don't get it.

 

[NikeCheck246]

I have never heard great things about the driveshaft tool...seems like every person I talk about it has some sort of story about it being awkward and unwieldy.