what was amc thinking

[dalefan88]

i just put new fluid in the rear diff. 4 of those dang star bolds stripped. i had to hammer a craftsman stipped bolt remove on to them to get them off. i replaced them all with hex head bolts. then i get to the fill plug and stripped that to. had to use vice grips to get it off. then i had to drive 25 miles to my work to get a new plug. the good news is that all the major fluids in the jeep is new now. dam star bolts lol.

 

[CJ]

Actually a properly sized torx head is better then a normal hex (engineering wise). They have much more surface contact area that is much better suited for applying torque.

The biggest problem is many people don't have proper tools for them and over time they screw them up so eventually they strip.

That being said... Man I feel your pain! I can't tell you how many I have had to chisel out or off of a hard to reach area! Grr!!!

 

[Zuni]

I actually like the torx head bolts for the reason CJ mentioned. When I first got my CJ I had a small leak in the rear diff. I decided to change the fluid and when I started removing the bolts I found that one of the bottom ones had the head broken off. Well needless to say thats where it was leaking. I drilled it out and replaced one of the top bolts with a hex head. Still haven't gotten around to replacing it with a real torx bolt, but at least it doesn't leak.

 

[Petescj]

Its actually a pretty good design , but nobody thought about 30 yrs of rust later. Windshield frame ones were the worst on mine. Ah the cuss words I invented that day.

 

[Cweed]

Torx remain the best IMO, but like any other bolt you should replace them after they have been tightened down a few times. Doing this will eliminate the need for the conversation you will have later.

 

[certifiablejeep]

I agree with the right tools.
Basically paint inside the heads don't allow for that proper contact area.
When I take out a torx bit, I do this...

a little heat
torx inside the head, whack with BFH a couple times
then slowly try to turn it, if it doesn't move, repeat 1 and 2.

This usually works.

The problem comes when you are trying to get these thigns out that the PO decided to snap off or try to drill out. Now you have to fight with drilling and easy outs... that makes it oh so much more fun.

Like this... yesterday as a matter of fact...

http://www.certifiablejeep.com/images/curtisjeep/page2/large/100_2181.jpg

Those were the lower bolts on the rollbar and one of the body mount bolts. Good times!

I too invented words my wife has never heard before, and from what I gather, she never will hear again as she won't be outside with me... LOL.

cb

 

[dalefan88]

i got lucky and didnt snap any so i didnt have to drill them out. but trust me they got hit quite a bit from my 3lb bfh. with a few choice words.

 

[coldwater]

Screw those damn things! I like them about as much as windows vista. Good design if you are the manufacturer and need to slam bolts in as quick as possible during new car assembly. Complete 30 years later! Not one is left on my Jeep.

 

[dalefan88]

Screw those damn things! I like them about as much as windows vista. Good design if you are the manufacturer and need to slam bolts in as quick as possible during new car assembly. Complete 30 years later! Not one is left on my Jeep.

im with you on both things.

 

[GPER]

At least AMC was thinking more then Chrysler has been. I can replace the torx easier then some of the people with the 35 rear end can change that. I think this fits here.

 

[dalefan88]

ya i heard they are more of a pain then the Dana 20 in cjs. i never had a problem with mine, but if i get a locker then i probally will.

 

[Petescj]

At least AMC was thinking more then Chrysler has been. I can replace the torx easier then some of the people with the 35 rear end can change that. I think this fits here.

 

[GPER]

Thank you, I new you guy's would like that. It does ruffle the Chrysler guys feathers.

Anyway I had to weld nuts on some of the torx on my AMC20 to get the cover off. They were always the ones on top and hard to get to.

 

[dalefan88]

Thank you, I new you guy's would like that. It does ruffle the Chrysler guys feathers.

Anyway I had to weld nuts on some of the torx on my AMC20 to get the cover off. They were always the ones on top and hard to get to.

those were the easy ones for me lol. i had problems on the bottom four.