stuck bolt
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
stuck bolt
So I'm trying to get my axle half shafts out and after removing the first 15 bolts/nuts without issue I get to the very last one and it just happens to be impossibly stuck. This is one of the four 5/8" head bolts holding the half shaft onto the wheel. Tried a 5/8" box end wrench and it stripped the wrench. Open wrench end slips off with enough force. With a 2ft pipe for leverage around a long non-ratcheting type heavy duty socket wrench it simply ruined the hex socket and stripped the bolt head. I tried cramming abrasive sponge grit into the hex socket but it still strips. I've been soaking this in PB blaster for 2 days and the other 3 bolts in the assembly have been removed already so the PB blaster should be able to get in there. I didn't have half this much trouble getting the shock mounts out. Leverage isn't really the limiter at this point, gripping the bolt head is.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Sounds like you're beyond the the point I would've gone without using some heat on the female threaded surface. I have the luxury of owning a small oxy/acetylene torch set, and believe me I use it. If wrenching on lots of older cars, a must have really. Gotta do it right though, as I always have a Power Cat air mover going, with fire extingusher and water hose close by.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
The stripped bolt sockets were pathetically ineffective, even the 16mm one(slightly smaller than 5/8") couldn't grip it. Bolt head is now almost completely round. I'm think I'm just going to take the trailing arm w/attached shaft out and take it to a machine shop. The differential end is free.
I do have a torch but there's so much PB blaster and road grime in that area that I suspect it will immediately start a fire in my garage.
I do have a torch but there's so much PB blaster and road grime in that area that I suspect it will immediately start a fire in my garage.
Last edited by brianPA; Jul 10, 2012 at 08:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Actually, since the mention of an impact wrench, and rounded bolts heads, a thought just came to mind. Some tire stores have impact gripper sockets that bite into locking wheel lug nuts with lost keys. Not sure where you get these, but can't be to hard to find. I'd still use a torch, and shouldn't be to bad cleaning everything up with Super Clean, brush and hosing, or a power washer. As mentioned, good moving some air when torching, plus help dry up your wash job.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
You first need to reinstall the bolt diagonally opposite the one that is locked up. You don't have to torque it much, just snug it up. That will help let the other bolt release when it finally breaks loose, and will prevent damage to that yoke until it is finally removed.