If you go to pull the rear shafts or try to do a gear ratio change on your Ford 7.5 or 8.8 inch axle, you may find that the bolt retaining your cross pin is broke or may break it trying to remove it.
If the bolt broke below the threads, then you can probably get it out with a magnet and pick. If the broken piece still had threads on it, you’ll likely need a tool to extract it.
This is actually a common problem on the Ford c-clip axles. GM shares this problem as well. The problem is common enough that companies make a kit for extracting the broken piece in the carrier.
Extractor Kits:
These kits generally contain:
- 12″ Long 1/8″ Drill Bit
- (1) Spiral Screw Extractor
- (1) Straight Flute Screw Extractor
- (2) Drill Guide Bolts
- Instruction Sheet
You may be able to use a left-hand drill bit or EZ Out (bolt extractor) to drill and remove the broken piece. The problem is drilling straight into the middle of the broken piece. This is where the kits alignment bolts are handy.
(Cross pin bolt)
These kits can be found at:
Randy World Wide – Cross Pin Bolt
Replacement Bolt:
Yukon Cross Pin Bolt YSPBLT-038 – Amazon
Yukon Cross Pin Bolt YSPBLT-038 – Summit Racing
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.