I got the Bolts Out

[belovedb2]

Well I finally got the bolts out that attach the rear drive shaft to the axle flange. Thank for the suggestions: I tried map gas but it did not work so I got a little torch with oxygen and that worked.

When I was heating up the bolts I detected a popping noise. Not sure what this was. I was thinking that some oil/grease was flashing off. Kind of worried about damaging the axle seal.

I now have to take the bolts off the transfer case and worry I may damage a seal on the transfer case if I heat it up. Any thoughts?

 

[BlackBII]

Get a longer breaker bar.

Or, put a box end wrench on the bolt, and hit it with a 3lb sledge.

Or, go to the gym more often.

 

[NMB2]

air impact.

 

[adsm08]

wrench and sledge all the way.

Popping noise was probably the metal expanding and the loc-tite letting go. Shouldn't damage the seal to heat those up too.

 

[Nathan123]

I'd say heat em up. I know with my c/v shaft, the way the cup things were sized i could only get a 12mm wrench on it, a socket just couldn't get the angle on the heads. Try heating from the side instead of the head. Perpendicular to the bolt not parallel. That should keep some heat off the t case.

 

[adsm08]

There are special drive-shaft sockets that have a short 12 pt 12mm on a knuckle. Those are nice to have if you have stubborn bolts.

 

[belovedb2]

Thanks. I did use a large breaker bar (4 foot pipe) for the bolts on the shaft to tranfer case and they came out. The bolts were 12 point/12 mm. I did notice that locktite was put on the threads which does a hell of a good job. I am wondering if I need to put locktite back on when I install the new shaft?

 

[country0001]

Won't hurt. I use it.

 

[Ivy Mike]

a little red loctite and the threat of future frustration if you ever need to take it off is a hell of a lot better than losing a driveshaft at 65mph because a bolt backed out.
I'm sure torquing it down to spec is great but Murphy and I go back a long way.