Broken Cross Pin Retaining Bolt

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, than 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 in to the middle of the broken piece. This is where the kits alignment bolts are handy.