Do these new heavy duty covers ever break and what is the leaf sping torque spec?
Differential Cover Again
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Royal Oak MI
Differential Cover Again, Help Please
Hey guys wrote earlier about replacing spring and differential cover on a 72.
Had to cut out spring bolts and one of the 2 back spring plate bolts broke, front didn't matter they were already broke. I have been spraying with blaster for a week but one broke, no prob i'm replacing cover anyway.
Car looks like it was zbarted a long time ago so frame seems good except for frame member by tank that wasn't sprayed and some loose rust inside rails.
Problem is is that 9/16" is too small for cover bolts, think i'll have to grind on the bolts some? I thought they were 9/16.
Thanks
Had to cut out spring bolts and one of the 2 back spring plate bolts broke, front didn't matter they were already broke. I have been spraying with blaster for a week but one broke, no prob i'm replacing cover anyway.
Car looks like it was zbarted a long time ago so frame seems good except for frame member by tank that wasn't sprayed and some loose rust inside rails.
Problem is is that 9/16" is too small for cover bolts, think i'll have to grind on the bolts some? I thought they were 9/16.
Thanks
Last edited by 72-LT1; Dec 9, 2004 at 09:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Royal Oak MI
5/8"
5/8" is to big I think the bolts have rusted and lost some size or something. WTF, anyone have any ideas on how to get them off?
I was trying to get the cover off without taking out differential, I guess that is not going to be an option unless, anyone has an idea. At leaset the crossmember bolts loosened on the frame easy enough.
I guess it isn't midaswell but have too.
I was trying to get the cover off without taking out differential, I guess that is not going to be an option unless, anyone has an idea. At leaset the crossmember bolts loosened on the frame easy enough.
I guess it isn't midaswell but have too.
Last edited by 72-LT1; Dec 9, 2004 at 09:33 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Craftsman makes a set of extractors for a regular 3/8 ratchet. There are several different sizes in the set but have a cut/grip action that is said to remove rusted and damaged head bolts regardlesss of the damage. I got a set for Christmas last year but, knock on wood, haven't had to try them out yet...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Run down to harbor freight and grab a set of cheap sockets... find one that "might fit... and pound it on.
If that doesnt work, craftsman has a "bolt out" thing that will cut its self onto the bolt head. Pretty cool... but thats a last resort.
Have you hit the bolts with some serious penetrating oil? PB blaster?
If that doesnt work, craftsman has a "bolt out" thing that will cut its self onto the bolt head. Pretty cool... but thats a last resort.
Have you hit the bolts with some serious penetrating oil? PB blaster?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Remove the whole rear end, otherwise you're going to be fighting with it and then you'll have to support it. The only thing holding it up would be the front support-not good. Add into it you'll get covered in nasty gear oil. Check the end play on the yokes as this is your chance to replace them if worn. If they are worn too much(over .100") you might want to look into a rebuild.
Gary
Gary
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Remove the whole rear end, otherwise you're going to be fighting with it and then you'll have to support it. The only thing holding it up would be the front support-not good. Add into it you'll get covered in nasty gear oil. Check the end play on the yokes as this is your chance to replace them if worn. If they are worn too much(over .100") you might want to look into a rebuild.
Here is side view of the complete differential.
Gary
Here is side view of the complete differential.
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
You gotta drop it. The cover IS what holds it up.
Note that the cover is bolted to the crossmember.
You can probably get away with leaving the strut rods in place
and unbolting the bracket fromn the cover.
The ends of the crossmember (cushions) come off of the frame
with LOTS of work. The best way I've seen is to use a gear puller
and a longer center bolt to pull it down and off. I stuck a pipe
inbetween mine and the frame to pry it off. The pipe took
a good beating on that job.
Once down and out, get the crossmember off (4 bolts).
If that's out of the way, you can use a grinder to take off
the heads of bolts that you can't get.
If you're not using 6 point sockets/wrenches, you are wasting
your time. As you noted, the heads have weathered significantly.
The metric idea works often .... maybe a good pair of vice-grips.
PS - It IS possible to get the top 4 bolts with the crossmember
in the car. I have done it. I do NOT recommend it.
Oh yeah - be prepared to discover that you may need new side yokes.
They wear on the inside end. If they slide in and out more than 1/8" -
it's definitely time.
Ooops - didn't mean to repeat what Gary already stated.
Good Luck
Note that the cover is bolted to the crossmember.
You can probably get away with leaving the strut rods in place
and unbolting the bracket fromn the cover.
The ends of the crossmember (cushions) come off of the frame
with LOTS of work. The best way I've seen is to use a gear puller
and a longer center bolt to pull it down and off. I stuck a pipe
inbetween mine and the frame to pry it off. The pipe took
a good beating on that job.
Once down and out, get the crossmember off (4 bolts).
If that's out of the way, you can use a grinder to take off
the heads of bolts that you can't get.
If you're not using 6 point sockets/wrenches, you are wasting
your time. As you noted, the heads have weathered significantly.
The metric idea works often .... maybe a good pair of vice-grips.
PS - It IS possible to get the top 4 bolts with the crossmember
in the car. I have done it. I do NOT recommend it.
Oh yeah - be prepared to discover that you may need new side yokes.
They wear on the inside end. If they slide in and out more than 1/8" -
it's definitely time.
Ooops - didn't mean to repeat what Gary already stated.
Good Luck
Last edited by NHvette; Dec 10, 2004 at 02:10 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Originally Posted by verbanik
That looks good Gary, are those new diff supports and strut support or did you strip and refininsh them? I will abide by your suggestions and do the whole THING.
Thanks Guys
Thanks Guys
Gary
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Originally Posted by ZD75blue
Gary...
I've heard of lift bars... But that front mount gives a whole new spin on that idea!
I've heard of lift bars... But that front mount gives a whole new spin on that idea!
Gary
