What genius at GM decided.....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
What genius at GM decided.....
to use U-bolts to attach the half-shafts to the differential yokes. Spent two hours pulling the half-shafts for new u-joints and probably spent at least 1 1/2 of that undoing those little 9/16 bolts on the u-joints a little at a time with an open ended wrench. Well, at least it is done now.
:smash: :smash: :smash:
BTW: Ordering new bolts from Zip as I post this so I don't have to dela with the rusted originals fro reinstall.
:smash: :smash: :smash:
BTW: Ordering new bolts from Zip as I post this so I don't have to dela with the rusted originals fro reinstall.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Re: What genius at GM decided..... (SteveG75)
Steve,
Before you order new (weak) u-bolts to replace the old ones give Art at Van Steel a call. They are now making heavy duty CNC u-joint caps for Sharks. I've got a set on my 81 and I think that before these things break I'll have other broken parts. You will have to drill and tap for the stronger bolts but I think they are worth the effort.
http://www.vansteel.com/
I can email you a picture in the morning when I get home from work of these if you can wait. Let me know, shark.tank@verizon.net
[Modified by C3 Shark Tank, 8:53 PM 1/20/2002]
Before you order new (weak) u-bolts to replace the old ones give Art at Van Steel a call. They are now making heavy duty CNC u-joint caps for Sharks. I've got a set on my 81 and I think that before these things break I'll have other broken parts. You will have to drill and tap for the stronger bolts but I think they are worth the effort.
http://www.vansteel.com/
I can email you a picture in the morning when I get home from work of these if you can wait. Let me know, shark.tank@verizon.net
[Modified by C3 Shark Tank, 8:53 PM 1/20/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: What genius at GM decided..... (SteveG75)
Steve:
I know what you mean! Taking those little bolts off is a time consuming job with an open ended wrench. I know have a set of ratcheting open ended wrenches in my tool collection after that little ordeal:yesnod:.
I know what you mean! Taking those little bolts off is a time consuming job with an open ended wrench. I know have a set of ratcheting open ended wrenches in my tool collection after that little ordeal:yesnod:.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: What genius at GM decided..... (bence13_33)
I share your pain, or I did last weekend. My halfshafts have NEVER been off the car nor had the struts, trailing arms, shock mounts or differential. I have everything off the rear except the diff and crossmember whcih hopefully goes tomorrow. P.S. - this started with replacing the differential carrier cushion but while I was in there... :smash:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 925
Likes: 1
From: LT1 and LS5 Coupes... New Orleans, LA
Re: What genius at GM decided..... (R. Bruno)
So all of you guys have the u-bolts with nuts?
I thought by the time they went to the larger 3" shafts in 75, most all cars used the caps with bolts. :confused:
I thought by the time they went to the larger 3" shafts in 75, most all cars used the caps with bolts. :confused:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 401
Likes: 22
From: SF CA
Re: What genius at GM decided..... (SteveG75)
I just went through it. 6 of the 8 were actually fairly easy. It was the other two. I ended up going out and buying a 17" breaker bar, that plus some liquid wrench, and some hard pulling finally broke them loose.
The only reason I was working on those is because the ones on the wheel side were totally impossible. I gave up on those while they were in the car.
The only reason I was working on those is because the ones on the wheel side were totally impossible. I gave up on those while they were in the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: What genius at GM decided..... (SteveG75)
Steve, years ago a guy showed me where he "custom" made a socket for these, so I did the same. You buy one of those 9/16" "black impact" sockets and grind the circumfrence down to where it "will fit" in the area you are talking about. I've used this socket many times over the years and it always get those bolts out!!!
