U-joint bolt removal.

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

I have removed the drive shafts on my 1980 CJ5 several times lately and I have had to do it in a specific manner. I couldn't take the bolts out that hold the u-joints onto the front diff or the rear output of the tranny. Long story short, I got enough of these bolts off to get the driveshafts free, but now I'm left with the rest.

I found the E-sockets to fit those tiny bolts, but the PO had already ruined four out of eight of these. Any quick fixes on getting these tiny fellas out?

Too small to grab with vise grips or channel locks. I have a pretty good grip, but my efforts have been to no avail.....

Aside from the obvious of grinding off and using an ease-out, maybe heat?





This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.

 

[72rtchallenger]

I have removed the drive shafts on my 1980 CJ5 several times lately and I have had to do it in a specific manner. I couldn't take the bolts out that hold the u-joints onto the front diff or the rear output of the tranny. Long story short, I got enough of these bolts off to get the driveshafts free, but now I'm left with the rest.

I found the E-sockets to fit those tiny bolts, but the PO had already ruined four out of eight of these. Any quick fixes on getting these tiny fellas out?

Too small to grab with vise grips or channel locks. I have a pretty good grip, but my efforts have been to no avail.....

Aside from the obvious of grinding off and using an ease-out, maybe heat?





This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.

any chance you could tack weld a hex nut to the existing head and then a standard socket could be used , of course I know the space your working in may be Limited but I have had luck in this way , especially if you have a mig welder

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

any chance you could tack weld a nut to the existing head and then a standard socket could be used , of course I know the space your working in may be Limited but I have had luck in this way , especially if you have a mig welder

That just might work! I can cut off/bend the unjoint clips out of the way enough to get to them now. Thanks for the help!


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.