Stuck bolts.

[rpenner54]

Hey all, any ideas on how to get those stupid little bolts from the front diff off? The ones that connect the drive shaft to the front diff? I need to get these off and I just land up slipping on them or if I try to use the Torx pattern I can't get enough leverage and I slip. I don't want to round these suckers off.

Any ideas?

 

[MrShorty]

I did the front driveshaft on my BII a couple of weeks ago. I used a Torx socket that fits on my 3/8 ratchet. I'm trying to remember if they were lock-tighted (is that a word?) or not. I'm not sure, but if they were, I would have used a breaker bar to get them started. I didn't do anything unusual in getting them off, though.
Good luck.

 

[simmons1]

Soak them down in a good penetrating oil and leave overnight. This work wonders, if you have the time.

 

[SteveVB]

heat

When I changed out my pumpkin I had a hard time with the bolts. I broke two of the torx bits (thanks craftsman). I had soaked them with PB blaster for days. I ended up taking a propane torch and warming them - the screws have thread locking compound on them, and I think it softened them a bit - either that or it was just their time. Careful with the u-joint boots you could melt them. When I reinstalled them , I made sure they were on the low side of the torque values. It would have been an impossible trail fix!!

Good Luck

EDIT: The third torx bit I took to the grinder first to make it fit tighter in the fastener- to keep it from breaking.