Front Drive Shaft Removal

[bpenrod]

Anyone have some tips for those pesky T40 bolts on the front drivshaft? I managed to get them out tonight but I'll need to replace all four. I can;t seem to get straight on them with a T40 socket. I ended up with heat and some crazy wrench and T40 bit combinations to finally get them. I'd like to find an easier way to install the new ones!!

 

[Ram Rod]

I've had mine off about 12 times and I'm still useing the same bolts. I use a swivle socket and move the truck so each bolt is on the bottom.

 

[Slow Six]

I replaced my bolts with regular hex head bolts. It is a lot of wrenching to get then in but at least I know I can remove or install easily next time. I had to drill and ezee out 2 of the 4 when I changed u joints. If you go this way the threads are metric.

 

[steved]

I used a 3/8" Torxs bit, no swivel... had no trouble removing them??



steved

 

[rbattelle]

At HOBrian's advice I picked up a 5" T40 bit. Haven't removed the front shaft, but I test-fit the bit and it seems to have plenty of clearance to access all 4 bolts.



-Ryan

 

[JStieger]

I replaced my bolts with regular hex head bolts.

I did the same after stripping one of the Torx heads. As far as removing them I just jacked up and supported the front driver's side off the ground, then turned the driveshaft to access each bolt.



It's amazing how much quieter and vibration free the truck was while driving around with no front drive shaft.

 

[bpenrod]

Thanx for the tips! For the guys who used hex head bolts how is the fit? It looks like the factory round head torx bolt fist into a round recess on the flange. I think I may pick up th e5" T40 mentioned above as I was thinking that may be the best way to get a straight push on them. At leat I won't have to make that decision until I get the u-joints done!

 

[sag2]

I use the long Snap-On PTXL40E and I have no trouble. Before I got the long Torx bit I used to keep four bolts around all the time. They are only $. 80 each so they are nice to have as spares just in case.

 

[bighammer]

It sounds like they're gorilla tight. (like everything else) I had bought a pair of t40 bits hoping that a small box end wrench would do it. The t40 sockets I looked at were more money and too large to get in there. I didn't get to it yesterday because the front axle joint took up my afternoon.

 

[steved]

It sounds like they're gorilla tight. (like everything else) I had bought a pair of t40 bits hoping that a small box end wrench would do it. The t40 sockets I looked at were more money and too large to get in there. I didn't get to it yesterday because the front axle joint took up my afternoon.

No, not gorilla tight... just drowned in locktight...



steved

 

[BPollister]

Mine were a pain in the *** too! I ended up going balls deep with a dremil tool getting mine out i replaced them with grade eight hex heads no more headaches for me!

 

[Slow Six]

It has been a while since I changed to the hex head bolt but if I remember correctly I used a grade 8 washer under the head so that the little recess was filled. The grade 8 washers I get are of a smaller diameter than a regular washer so they fit in nicely.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I musta got lucky. Mine were lock tighted but came out fairly easily. Tehy were a pain, but not near as bad as some of these. I second the raise the drivers side of the axle and rotate the driveshaft.