SteveG75

to use U-bolts to attach the half-shafts to the differential yokes. Spent two hours pulling the half-shafts for new u-joints and probably spent at least 1 1/2 of that undoing those little 9/16 bolts on the u-joints a little at a time with an open ended wrench. Well, at least it is done now.
:smash: :smash: :smash:

BTW: Ordering new bolts from Zip as I post this so I don't have to dela with the rusted originals fro reinstall.

C3 Shark Tank

Steve,

Before you order new (weak) u-bolts to replace the old ones give Art at Van Steel a call. They are now making heavy duty CNC u-joint caps for Sharks. I've got a set on my 81 and I think that before these things break I'll have other broken parts. You will have to drill and tap for the stronger bolts but I think they are worth the effort.

http://www.vansteel.com/

I can email you a picture in the morning when I get home from work of these if you can wait. Let me know, shark.tank@verizon.net


[Modified by C3 Shark Tank, 8:53 PM 1/20/2002]

bence13_33

Steve:
I know what you mean! Taking those little bolts off is a time consuming job with an open ended wrench. I know have a set of ratcheting open ended wrenches in my tool collection after that little ordeal:yesnod:.

R. Bruno

I share your pain, or I did last weekend. My halfshafts have NEVER been off the car nor had the struts, trailing arms, shock mounts or differential. I have everything off the rear except the diff and crossmember whcih hopefully goes tomorrow. P.S. - this started with replacing the differential carrier cushion but while I was in there... :smash:

Allan71

So all of you guys have the u-bolts with nuts?

I thought by the time they went to the larger 3" shafts in 75, most all cars used the caps with bolts. :confused:

BAD-L88

I just went through it. 6 of the 8 were actually fairly easy. It was the other two. I ended up going out and buying a 17" breaker bar, that plus some liquid wrench, and some hard pulling finally broke them loose.

The only reason I was working on those is because the ones on the wheel side were totally impossible. I gave up on those while they were in the car.

Paul Borowski

Steve, years ago a guy showed me where he "custom" made a socket for these, so I did the same. You buy one of those 9/16" "black impact" sockets and grind the circumfrence down to where it "will fit" in the area you are talking about. I've used this socket many times over the years and it always get those bolts out!!!