Front Axle Replacement (times two)

L

larry nelson

New member
Apr 9, 2001
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I discovered that my drivers side outer boot was totally missing and my right side boot was torn. No symptoms of CV Joint failure but I ordered two
complete axles from Applied. I inquired about the flange attach bolts and were told they were not included but that they would send them Priority.
Have not received them yet and this was to be my weekend project.....anyway that is not the issue. Those bolts appear to have some sort of special
head. Weird. Is that a head that has a socket available.....from someplace? I am going to step away from this until I hear from this Brain Trust :d
.

Thanks.
--
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
 
Short answer. Yes, socket (12 point) is readily available. May have to hit NAPA for. Take bolt with you.
Tom
--
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
 
Depending on the supplier of the bolts, OEM or aftermarket like MCMaster-Carr, that socket is either a 3/8" 12 point or a 7/16" 12 point socket. It
should be in most 3/8" socket sets. I carry spare bolts and keep spare socket of the correct size in the same zip-lock bag.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
We have the exact head size.
We find that if you clean the bolt and threads and use Blue Loc Tite on
them, and torque to spec. it will be good.
Problem with the one from McMaster is that the head is smaller and the
thread runs the full length.
Minor, but when the correct ones are available, it is good to use as when
one comes into our shop, we hate to search for another socket we never use.

> Depending on the supplier of the bolts, OEM or aftermarket like
> MCMaster-Carr, that socket is either a 3/8" 12 point or a 7/16" 12 point
> socket. It
> should be in most 3/8" socket sets. I carry spare bolts and keep spare
> socket of the correct size in the same zip-lock bag.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
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>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Jim, I am just going by the book. I did order yours, just don't have them yet. I have determined that getting the old ones out are going to be most
fun. I discovering that I might be too old to be scooting around on the floor under my coach. I have two of the bolts out and am now PB Blasting the
rest of them. Yes, I did have the sockets, thanks Ken.
--
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
 
I always use the 3/8 Long ratchet to give me more leverage.
A deep socket.
Sometimes use a close end wrenck and Hit it with a small mallet to break
loose the bolts.
Never hesitate to call me for help.
That is why we are the major supplier and have over 4,000 customer base.

On Sun, Sep 2, 2018 at 11:54 AM Larry Nelson
wrote:

> Jim, I am just going by the book. I did order yours, just don't have them
> yet. I have determined that getting the old ones out are going to be most
> fun. I discovering that I might be too old to be scooting around on the
> floor under my coach. I have two of the bolts out and am now PB Blasting the
> rest of them. Yes, I did have the sockets, thanks Ken.
> --
> Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Use a good quality socket and an 18” pipe on a good quality ratchet handle.
They are torqued to 65 ft-lbs—which slightly overstresses them (to my
thinking, for a reason)—so being stiff to turn does not mean they are
stuck.

Rick “give me along enough lever...” Denney

On Sun, Sep 2, 2018 at 2:54 PM Larry Nelson
wrote:

> Jim, I am just going by the book. I did order yours, just don't have them
> yet. I have determined that getting the old ones out are going to be most
> fun. I discovering that I might be too old to be scooting around on the
> floor under my coach. I have two of the bolts out and am now PB Blasting the
> rest of them. Yes, I did have the sockets, thanks Ken.
> --
> Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com
 
Sir, with the front on stands with the tire off I use a 1/2" impact with 1/2" air hose and 2 long extensions on the socket. Make sure the socket
and extensions are straight. Find a soft pad to sit on and Turn the axle to next bolt.

> Jim, I am just going by the book. I did order yours, just don't have them yet. I have determined that getting the old ones out are going to be
> most fun. I discovering that I might be too old to be scooting around on the floor under my coach. I have two of the bolts out and am now PB
> Blasting the rest of them. Yes, I did have the sockets, thanks Ken.

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
The ones I removed were not even hand tight so getting them out was easy. Theywere, however, shot from movement of the axle on the flange. I ran a
thread chaser through the flanges, and replaced them with high strength caps screws (10+) from the local industrial supply place. The length was the
same, heads the same diameter. I reused the special thick locks, daubed them with blue LocTite and set them to 60 ft - lbs. No further problems
in two years and some several thousand miles.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
I did get my RH axle off. I had boogered up one bolt so bad I was about ready to try the dreaded vice grips. Bob Burkitt emailed me with the
suggestion to use an 11mm deep socket, that that socket will fit tighter than a 7/16" 12 point. The head was so damaged I had to tap it into place but
that socket, a 14" breaker, and some sweat....finally got to see that bolt move.

I did have to pop the upper ball joint loose to get the old axle out. New axle is in place but I was too tired to wrestle with the axle, and the
knuckle in order to poke the spline into the hub. Sometimes you have to step away and when you come back, things fall into place. (yeah, sure, THAT is
going to happen). Also, I did my bag o' new bolts from Applied today....thanks to all.

Larry
--
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
 
I fought the driver's side axle going back for two or three hours, Zhookoff took less than five minutes, mostly getting in the ciach, and didn't get
his hands dirty. Slipped right in. Tightened it up, been a year and some.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
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