TJ Help -- Will I need a shop or not...you decide! (maybe)

Hi all, haven't been around these parts recently. Hope everything has gone well for you folks.

I recently have needed to change the u-joints out on my 04 TJ's drive shafts. Sadly, the dufus who attempted to change them prior to myself (PO or shop, dont know which..) handily stripped one of the 8 mm bolt heads bolting the cardan joint on the drive shaft to the yoke at the transfer case...Its a right pain to get to the bolt heads as the T-case blocks all but most of the angle to get at them.

Does anyone have any suggestions to get a bolt in a tight place loose? Also, they used yellow thread locker (was able to get the other 3 bolts off...but not the last one :evil so Ive got that working against me....Thanks for any help gents.

In my attempt I used a 12 point 8 mm socket...I was thinking a 6 point would be better, but the parts store only carried the 12pt...

-Hayden

 

It's hard to tell exactly what the situation is without pictures, but air tools are your friend. If you can get a socket in there an air gun should be able to get it off. Also, sometimes an SAE socket is just slightly smaller than the metric, and can be pounded onto a stripped out bolt. I've never used one but they also make a stripped bolt extractor, which basically threads itself onto the bolt head.

If all else fails, I've had luck with vice grips. Use heat from a handheld propane torch to heat up the bolt area, and clamp it and go. Heat will almost always loosen the rusty connection considerably so that you can get it to turn. As a last resort, cut off the bolt head, drill it out, and re-tap the threads if needed.

You can do this!!! It may not be easy, but you'll get there, and you'll have the satisfaction that you know a bit more about your rig.

 

The access issue makes it tough.

You absolutely must use six point sockets in cases like this. The tightest one that will pound on.

In this case I would go with a hand-held impact driver, with a long extension if needed. The hammer blow loosens the thread tension at the exact instant the torque is applied, works miracles.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2905-8...&qid=1444397486&sr=8-1&keywords=impact+driver

 

Lightly heating the yoke where the bolt goes in will help break the bond of the threadlocker.

 

It sounds weird but sometimes turning the bolt a tiny bit tighter will break it loose...