Rear Half Shaft Removal Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Gurley Alabama
Rear Half Shaft Removal Problem
I'm slowly disassembling my rear suspension....today the driver side half shaft came out easily.....the inside U- bolts on the passenger side half shaft came off easily.......1 bolt at the outside came right off but the other 3 will not move - not even with my 1/2" impact wrench (split a socket trying)....I've now basically rounded the heads of those 3......took my little air saw & tried to cut the head off the worst rounded bolt to no avail.....I'm getting some cutting through it done but am using up blades like nothing I've ever seen!
Any ideas?
Oh, when the car was in an accident before I bought it, the driver front & assenger rear were where the damage was.....we pulled the frame straight.....when I removed the inside passenger half shaft U-bolts, the whole assembly swung about 2" out side so its hard to pull the half shaft u-joint back to the differential.....& the strut rod is bent...I'm wondering if the torque control arm might also be bent.
But, none of that should cause the outer end half shaft bolts to be so tight.
Any ideas?
Oh, when the car was in an accident before I bought it, the driver front & assenger rear were where the damage was.....we pulled the frame straight.....when I removed the inside passenger half shaft U-bolts, the whole assembly swung about 2" out side so its hard to pull the half shaft u-joint back to the differential.....& the strut rod is bent...I'm wondering if the torque control arm might also be bent.
But, none of that should cause the outer end half shaft bolts to be so tight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I suggest dropping the diff out with the stub shaft still on. Better access that way. What year is this please so we can know what setup you have to deal with? How did you pull the frame... using a tape measure and "cross" measuring,? A bench with adjustable reference points? Blackhawk style bench with "factory" style fixtures? I get a rough sense you are not in a fully equipped, certified collision repair facility. Please detail the damage done and your repairs to this point... photographically if possible, in written, extensive detail if not.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Gurley Alabama
Should've said its a '77, sorry.
Here's the link to my story so far: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-guy-with.html
The first thing that happened after I brought the car home was that, after doing an inspection & developing a plan, I took it to a certified collision repair facility that focuses on Corvettes to have the frame straightened professionally.....then, I pulled the body & started the frame & suspension restoration.....the front end is finished & I've switched to the rear & this is my first real tough problem with the car.
No, I'm not a certified collision repair facility but I do have a 4,000 square foot fully euipped garage....this just happens to be the 1st Corvette restoration I've tackled - but by far not the 1st restoration!
The half shaft is already free from the differential.....I could drop the whole assembly but that wouldn't help me with these 3 bolts....I'm guessing that somewhere back in time when the car was improperly repaired by a "certified collision repair facility" some monkey torqued them down with the biggest air wrench in the shop!
Like I said, I cracked a hardened 1/2" drive socket on my impact wrench at 85psi trying to remove one of the bolts! Anf just figured someone might have an idea that'll prevent me from having to drill/cut them off.
Here's the link to my story so far: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-guy-with.html
The first thing that happened after I brought the car home was that, after doing an inspection & developing a plan, I took it to a certified collision repair facility that focuses on Corvettes to have the frame straightened professionally.....then, I pulled the body & started the frame & suspension restoration.....the front end is finished & I've switched to the rear & this is my first real tough problem with the car.
Originally Posted by markids77
I get a rough sense you are not in a fully equipped, certified collision repair facility.
The half shaft is already free from the differential.....I could drop the whole assembly but that wouldn't help me with these 3 bolts....I'm guessing that somewhere back in time when the car was improperly repaired by a "certified collision repair facility" some monkey torqued them down with the biggest air wrench in the shop!
Like I said, I cracked a hardened 1/2" drive socket on my impact wrench at 85psi trying to remove one of the bolts! Anf just figured someone might have an idea that'll prevent me from having to drill/cut them off.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
those bolts were very tight on me also, ... did the same thing you tried... then took out the torch and heated them up put the socket back on them and they turned off real easy...good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Thanks for the larger picture of the issue. I suggested removal of the diff as a means of easier access to the problem bolts... two bolts and the whole crossmember is out and on the bench. I also had no inkling what your experience level is/was... hence the "basics" questions. Now... since you've managed to screw up those bolts by hammering on them until you rounded them off... I suggest a bit of heat, and a set of either Craftsman or Snap-On rounded bolt removal sockets... sort of like a left handed drill bit for nasty fasteners. They screw onto the damaged flats and bite where even a 6 point socket will spin. Try this and let us know how you make out!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Gurley Alabama
HEY, Thanks....I'm always up for a reason to buy a new tool....I'll run over to Sears tomorrow am & pick up a set of those sockets...between them & my torch, maybe it'll be a quick fix after all.
I did find that the outer u-joint on the driver side & the inner u-joint on the passenger saide are bad....was going to replace all 4 anyway.
This is the reason I come here....
I did find that the outer u-joint on the driver side & the inner u-joint on the passenger saide are bad....was going to replace all 4 anyway.
This is the reason I come here....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,425
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
HEY, Thanks....I'm always up for a reason to buy a new tool....I'll run over to Sears tomorrow am & pick up a set of those sockets...between them & my torch, maybe it'll be a quick fix after all.
I did find that the outer u-joint on the driver side & the inner u-joint on the passenger side are bad....was going to replace all 4 anyway.
This is the reason I come here....
I did find that the outer u-joint on the driver side & the inner u-joint on the passenger side are bad....was going to replace all 4 anyway.
This is the reason I come here....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Gurley Alabama
Here's another tool you need www.volvette.com part # TL30 if you don't use this then bolt the half shafts together so you don't bend and distort them. PG.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Gurley Alabama
UPDATE:
I now have a beautiful new set of Craftsman sockets for removing bolts with bad heads; unfortunately, it wouldn't have mattered whether the half shaft was still attached to the rear suspension on the frame or on a workbench...there's no room to use them.
So, a small rose bud tip on my torch & a little heat allowed my 6-point socket & air wrench to remove all 3 bolts. Now, I'm back on schedule.
Many thanks for all the tips.
By-the-by, while I was at Sears I dropped off a few Craftsman tools that were damaged; 1 was a pair of large needle nose pliers with a broken tip...I wasn't sure if they'd replace it or not but they did & as I went to buy a smaller pair of those plyers because mine have the insulation worn off the handle, the lady told me she'd hold them for me until I can get back to bring my old pliers in for replacement!
She said for me to go through all my tools & bring in anything that wasn't like it was when I bought it & they'd replace it - except for rusty tools!! So, I'm on the way back to Sears with a few screwdrivers that have broken, worn, or twisted points.
The whole problem was worth the trip to Sears!
I now have a beautiful new set of Craftsman sockets for removing bolts with bad heads; unfortunately, it wouldn't have mattered whether the half shaft was still attached to the rear suspension on the frame or on a workbench...there's no room to use them.
So, a small rose bud tip on my torch & a little heat allowed my 6-point socket & air wrench to remove all 3 bolts. Now, I'm back on schedule.
Many thanks for all the tips.
By-the-by, while I was at Sears I dropped off a few Craftsman tools that were damaged; 1 was a pair of large needle nose pliers with a broken tip...I wasn't sure if they'd replace it or not but they did & as I went to buy a smaller pair of those plyers because mine have the insulation worn off the handle, the lady told me she'd hold them for me until I can get back to bring my old pliers in for replacement!
She said for me to go through all my tools & bring in anything that wasn't like it was when I bought it & they'd replace it - except for rusty tools!! So, I'm on the way back to Sears with a few screwdrivers that have broken, worn, or twisted points.
The whole problem was worth the trip to Sears!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
UPDATE:
I now have a beautiful new set of Craftsman sockets for removing bolts with bad heads; unfortunately, it wouldn't have mattered whether the half shaft was still attached to the rear suspension on the frame or on a workbench...there's no room to use them.
So, a small rose bud tip on my torch & a little heat allowed my 6-point socket & air wrench to remove all 3 bolts. Now, I'm back on schedule.
Many thanks for all the tips.
By-the-by, while I was at Sears I dropped off a few Craftsman tools that were damaged; 1 was a pair of large needle nose pliers with a broken tip...I wasn't sure if they'd replace it or not but they did & as I went to buy a smaller pair of those plyers because mine have the insulation worn off the handle, the lady told me she'd hold them for me until I can get back to bring my old pliers in for replacement!
She said for me to go through all my tools & bring in anything that wasn't like it was when I bought it & they'd replace it - except for rusty tools!! So, I'm on the way back to Sears with a few screwdrivers that have broken, worn, or twisted points.
The whole problem was worth the trip to Sears!
I now have a beautiful new set of Craftsman sockets for removing bolts with bad heads; unfortunately, it wouldn't have mattered whether the half shaft was still attached to the rear suspension on the frame or on a workbench...there's no room to use them.
So, a small rose bud tip on my torch & a little heat allowed my 6-point socket & air wrench to remove all 3 bolts. Now, I'm back on schedule.
Many thanks for all the tips.
By-the-by, while I was at Sears I dropped off a few Craftsman tools that were damaged; 1 was a pair of large needle nose pliers with a broken tip...I wasn't sure if they'd replace it or not but they did & as I went to buy a smaller pair of those plyers because mine have the insulation worn off the handle, the lady told me she'd hold them for me until I can get back to bring my old pliers in for replacement!
She said for me to go through all my tools & bring in anything that wasn't like it was when I bought it & they'd replace it - except for rusty tools!! So, I'm on the way back to Sears with a few screwdrivers that have broken, worn, or twisted points.
The whole problem was worth the trip to Sears!
