Date:         Tue, 2 Dec 2003 00:43:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Ben S <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben S <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
Subject:      Re: drilling out axle bolts - i found the ultimate tool!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

i went on a nice long motorcycle ride in the rain today to chase down
the snap on truck to buy a good 12pt driver since the one i borrowed
from my mechanic friend was looking a little worn, and plus i wanted my
own.  i started talking to the driver about the stripped out bolts and
told him that i had heard some vauge references to splined removal
tools.  he knew what you guys who suggested this to me were talking
about and pointed me to a tool that cost less than the 12pt driver and
made the stripped bolts just as easy (or hard!) to remove as the good
ones.  i guess it's called a "twist socket"....  it looks like an
inside-out easy out--it's a cone shaped socket with left handed
"threads" on the inside, so that as you turn ccw, it digs into the bolt
for a better grip.
the snap on part number of the socket i got (the 13mm size) is:
TFSY181A; the description on their web page is at:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det.asp?search=true&item_ID=65945&PartNo=tfsy181a&group_id=11664&store=snapon-store&tool=all
it was about $15, but he only had that size in impact grade on his truck
so you could probably save a few bucks if you got a regular strength one.

now this might not work for everyone since i've heard a lot of talk
about how difficult these bolts are to remove, and i didn't once have to
use my "breaker bar" (piece of pipe) on the ~8" handle of my ratchet, so
mine might not have been as stuck as usual.  but then again, some of the
tranny side bolts ended up being messed up, too, and just for kicks i
tried vise-grips on them...  with the pliers locked down as tight as i
could close them, they still just spun on the (cleaned) bolt head, but
my newly found favorite tool made quick work of it.

i ordered new bolts from volks cafe so they should be here tomorrow!!
 i'd recomend than no one drill or cut one of these bolts until they've
tried this tool!  thanks a million to everyone who led me in the right
direction.

one last question: the new cv joints go on with the flat side facing
out, away from the axle and up against the retaining clip, while the
side with the little ridge around the center goes facing inwards towards
the axle, right?

thanks!!

Ben.