so i was starting on replacing the clutch on my turbo'd S...i was following the write-up from here...well i went to remove my driveshaft bolts and i find out that all the bolts are already stripped...so i decided since i had no other way to get them out i would try vice grips...well i did that on one bolt and it put a dent in the metal casing at the front part of the driveshaft...the piece that covers the cv joint...here are some pictures so you can kinda tell what im talking about...








do you think i need a new driveshaft? or can i just replace the part that is bent? im going to have to use vice grips to get the rest of the bolts out since they are stripped...any advice or help would be great...

 

The dent is fine, I wouldn't worry about it as long as its not leaking grease.

As far as getting the rest of the bolts off, you can continue to use the Vice grips, cut the heads off or cut slits in them and use a flat head to remove them. Make sure you spray them down a couple times with a good penetrating oil. You just need to break them loose and you should be able to take them out the rest of the way by hand.

This should prob be in the Under the hood sec as well.

 

sooo, who stripped them previously? that sucks. i guess i am worring to much, but will the dent effect the balance of the peice? that whole section rotates.

either way, def spray them all down with penetrating lube and try cutting slits in them, remove them, and replace all of them.

 

I'd slice the heads off with a dremel.

 

Does this normally happen during a clutch job???

 

They do not look completely stripped yet, I would try and use vice grips while using an allen in the bolts at the same time. This is how I got mine out without having to cut them off. I would not worry about the dent though.

 

i got all the rest of the bolts off using vice grips and being very careful....i dont know who took the driveshaft off before but even though the bolts dont look completely stripped they were...my allen socket would just spin in them and strip them even worse...also i didnt quite know which section to put this post in...

 

pm'

 

Yep, I have had to replace them on both cars that I have had the drive shaft off of.

 

Without the right tools, Yes.. Use a #6 allen 3/8 socket on a breaker bar wrench and lightly tap it into place with a hammer. Use both hands with steady pressure on the wrench and you will break them loose every time Cutting down the head of the #6 allen will also help clear the prop shaft if you want to use a reg 3/8 drive, Some sort of lubricate spray also helps on older Ap1's