Replacing front prop shaft of 98 Mounty AWD

[scvfd1202]

Like the title says, I'm getting ready to replace the front driveshaft on a 98 Mountaineer AWD.

I have the front u-joint pulled from the front axle, but am trying to figure out how to get the other end of the shaft loose from the transfer case.

The bolts that hold the cv collar, or whatever it is you call it to the transfer case appear to be regular bolts. A 5/16 or 8mm fits, but both fit a little loose. Are these a special size? The head is a hex head like the typical automotive style bolt, but I can't for the life of me get these things to break loose.

I was thinking about using in impact gun to try to get them off, but I have yet to see an impact gun where you could use a 5/16 socket thats 1/4" drive without obliterating the socket on the first hit.

Anyone have any suggestions on this one?

 

[gijoecam]

Clean up the threads real good if there are any sticking out the back side of the flange, and pick up a set of smaller impact sockets. They're not cheap, but they'll work well.

edit: Use some heat too... IIRC, they use the equivalent of red loctite on those threads (and you should too). Some heat will soften the thread locker and they *should* spin right out.

 

[techieman33]

There is red thread locker on those bolts, I've always used an 8mm ratchet wrench to remove them.

 

[scvfd1202]

Thanks for the advice guys. Got the new driveshaft in from ericautopart on Friday morning.

Went to Sears and traded in some worn out tools and picked up a 3/8 drive breaker bar and a 3/8 drive 8mm shallow well socket. Then went to the local hardware store and picked up a MAPP gas plumbers torch.

Changeout went smooth as a baby's bottom. Heated the bolts up for a couple seconds, did the inital "breaking loose" with the breaker bar and then threaded them out by hand, no thread locker.

I had the truck sitting on 6 jack stands with the transmission in neutral so I could turn the wheels to get the driveshaft to turn.

The shaft that came out was WORN OUT. The CV joint end slides in and out of the joint at least 2 inches, so I know it was time for it to go. It was a miracle it didn't actually fail while I was on the highway.

Thanks again for the help. I hate working on a different vehicle sometimes. This vehicle is new to us so it will take some time getting used to what size bolts are here and there. You guys know how it goes...

 

[jremington59]

Glad to hear you got it fixed