Date:         Mon, 1 Dec 2003 09:38:02 -0600
Reply-To:     Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: drilling out axle bolts
Comments: To: phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Ben,

I believe that Sears has some 12pt. sockets.

I wouldn't drill out the old bolts, especially on the wheel side. I would
purchase a 12pt socket that is marginally larger than the stripped head. Put
the socket on an extension and place it in the stripped head. Next, take a
nice strong hammer and drive the socket into the stripped head. Often times
that will give the splines enough bite to turn the bolts. This has worked
for me.

When selecting a socket you may try a SAE size that is just marginally
larger rather than the next larger metric size. If I went to the store I
would but both the SAE and the metric. The up side: you might save yourself
a trip back to the store, and you will have a nice extra tool for a future
job. The down side: you spend just a bit more money.

Good Luck,
Bruce

>From: Ben S <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
>Reply-To: Ben S <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: drilling out axle bolts
>Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2003 03:35:41 -0800
>
>today i began an attempt to replace the cv joints on the 2nd axle.  the
>first went smoothly with a friend's help.  today i was not so lucky; the
>second axle bolt that i attempted to remove from the wheel side was
>already badly stripped, apparently by whoever had installed the previous
>cv joints.  it's the 12 pt style and is pretty well rounded on the
>inside, so from reading the archives, it seems that drilling the head
>off this bolt is the best solution.  with this in mind, i pose the
>following questions:
>
>any advice on doing the drilling?  all i have now is a 12v cordless
>drill and a bunch of old dull bits, so i'm going to buy new stuff.  who
>makes good drills these days?
>what kind of bit do i want?  do i need an extra-long one to reach into
>that space inside the trailing arm?
>is it possible to do this drilling without damaging the cv's boot?
>my new cv joints didn't come with retaining rings, how bad is it to re
>use the old ones?
>any advice on where to get a 12point driver socket?  i have to give back
>the one i borrowed today.  i'd like to avoid chasing down the matco or
>snap on truck if at all possible.
>
>any tricks, techniques, or amusing anecdotes about this arduous task are
>appreciated!  thanks.
>
>Ben.

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