Front drive shaft removal

t42beal13t

t42beal13t

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2012
117
4
North Carolina
I'm in the middle of a transmission swap and I lost progress when I started pulling the front drive shaft. One nut started to strip and since I was using a 14mm wrench (they're 9/16", correct) and it was getting late I decided to call it a night. Any advice to help my front shaft out? I don't want to grind them out unless absolutely necessary.
 
KyleT

KyleT

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2007
6,059
8
39
Fort Worth, TEXAS
Bolt easy out socket. Hammer it on and use an impact to get it off.

Never had an issue USB a 9/16 with an extension. Have had threads strip on me though. Had to use a screwdriver under the bolt head to put pressure on it...
 
fishEH

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
I can't see how the nut would strip. Use a 6 point box end wrench if you don't have the fancy tool. I have the fancy tool and still just use two 6 point combo wrenches. I just find it easier than trying to line up the fancy socket.
 
Some Dude

Some Dude

Well-known member
Feb 12, 2009
1,590
0
Boise, ID
I've never had any trouble using two 9/16 combo wrenches and I've had that POS drive shaft out more times than I remember. Are you saying the threads stripped or that you rounded the nut off? If it's just rounded off, use locking pliers or something like that.
 
t42beal13t

t42beal13t

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2012
117
4
North Carolina
I'm slowly acquiring new tools and I only have 12pt wrenches at the moment. I'm planning on stopping at sears today and getting 6pt wrenches and see if that helps. I'll also try a smaller drive socket. My 1/2" drive sockets don't fit well.

The nut is starting to round off. With a bit of sleep last night hopefully it'll come right off.
 
fishEH

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
t42beal13t said:
I'm slowly acquiring new tools and I only have 12pt wrenches at the moment. I'm planning on stopping at sears today and getting 6pt wrenches and see if that helps. I'll also try a smaller drive socket. My 1/2" drive sockets don't fit well.

The nut is starting to round off. With a bit of sleep last night hopefully it'll come right off.
Click to expand...
NEVER use a 12pt on the driveshaft nuts. Not until you've first broken them free with a 6pt. Anything you have to reef on to break loose using a 12pt on is a bad idea.
 
K-rover

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,179
69
Raleigh, NC
I had to cut 2 of mine off with a dremel the first time.. I obviously replaced with new nylocks and a dab of anti-sieze. Since then taking them off is a breeze
 
t42beal13t

t42beal13t

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2012
117
4
North Carolina
K-rover said:
I had to cut 2 of mine off with a dremel the first time.. I obviously replaced with new nylocks and a dab of anti-sieze. Since then taking them off is a breeze
Click to expand...

Let's hope the drive shaft comes out more easily than the transmission I just pulled. My mechanic had a 9/16" 6pt wrench I'm borrowing and I picked up a 3/8" drive 6pt socket set so maybe that'll help. The wife is gone shopping and should be bringing home a metric 6pt wrench set if all else fails. Time to get to work...
 
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