Along the lines of the previous post on driveshafts - I am in the process of replacing the u-joints on my front driveshaft. Seemingly pretty simple - right? NOT.
First - I couldn't get the damn thing off - the nuts were stripped in the back - and I ended up having to cut two of them off just to remove the shaft. Having done that - now I need to replace all of the bolts before replacing the shaft - BUT - you can't just pull them out (even the ones that were cut) - they are trapped between the flange and the transfer case.
Just to add some icing on the cake - I just destroyed one of my new U-joints trying to get it installed on the shaft - seemed like it was too long or something - couldn't get the retaining spring to go on and put a little too much pressure on it with the shop press. Kudos to Oreilly's - they are replacing it for me at no charge.
So assuming I am not the only one who has run into this - what is the process for replacing these bolts? I assume that the flange nut can be removed and the flange just pulls out? Do I need a puller? Do I need to drain the transfer case oil to do this? Can I just pull the flange out enough to replace the bolts and push it back in without getting into replacing the oil seal etc? Is there anything else holding the flange in place other than the large nut? Is there an easier way to get these bolts out?
Thanks!
First - I couldn't get the damn thing off - the nuts were stripped in the back - and I ended up having to cut two of them off just to remove the shaft. Having done that - now I need to replace all of the bolts before replacing the shaft - BUT - you can't just pull them out (even the ones that were cut) - they are trapped between the flange and the transfer case.
Just to add some icing on the cake - I just destroyed one of my new U-joints trying to get it installed on the shaft - seemed like it was too long or something - couldn't get the retaining spring to go on and put a little too much pressure on it with the shop press. Kudos to Oreilly's - they are replacing it for me at no charge.
So assuming I am not the only one who has run into this - what is the process for replacing these bolts? I assume that the flange nut can be removed and the flange just pulls out? Do I need a puller? Do I need to drain the transfer case oil to do this? Can I just pull the flange out enough to replace the bolts and push it back in without getting into replacing the oil seal etc? Is there anything else holding the flange in place other than the large nut? Is there an easier way to get these bolts out?
Thanks!