Stuck bolt

[LeftClique]

I got a 'no-slip' differential for my truck, but can't install it until the "pinion shaft retaining bolt" is removed, and the little #%!& is frozen solid.

A 5/16 box end wrench snapped, so I squirted Liquid Wrench and waited awhile before trying a 5/16 socket. After the socket split, the bolt was getting pretty beat up, so I hammered on a metric socket. After the metric socket rounded off the bolt even more, I tried vise-grips, but stopped when it was clear they were going to slip, too.

Is there anything else I can try?

thanks, John

[Mr_Mac]

John,

It sounds like you're at that point where you may have to consider drilling the bolt out (just smaller than the bolt size itself) and then hitting it with a tap. If you drill the same size or larger than the bolt then you can glue in a helicoil/threaded insert (http://www.interstatebolt.com/misc.htm).

Mac

[LeftClique]

Mac,

Thank you, but I don't have access to the bolt from the top. With the differential cover off, I'm looking at the side of the bolt, so there's no way to drill it out. An old-timer suggested trying the vice-grips again - put 'em on with a death-grip, keep the bolt soaked with Liquid Wrench, and gently push back and forth, over and over. He says it'll work, but takes a lot of patience and a lot of time.

John

[Mr_Mac]

John,

I'll bet if I had read your post a little closer the pinion shaft part may have caught my eye sooner. The old timer is right! You're going to have to gently bounce that bolt back and forth to try and free it from its perch.

I have heard of some people having some luck using a little heat applied to the bolt to help burn off any varnish or rust build up, but be careful as the metal (both in the bolt and the case) will expand.

Aside from that, I'm fresh out except to say the obvious...don't snap the head off the bolt and good luck!

Mac

[super52]

If you have access to torches, heat the head of the bolt cherry red hot then walk away. let it cool completely on its own then try ot spin it out. ( times out of ten it works.

[LeftClique]

Thanks, Super. When I can spare the truck a day or two, I'll scare up a torch, and use the vice-grips, too.

John

[Roadwrench]

Get yourself a "TWIST SOCKET"

Heat it up let it cool put on the "twist socket" and remove the bolt.

They work terrific

[Rich-Md]

Like Super 52 said, APPLY heat.