OK.. so today taking my tranny off for a clutch job... I fawked up the HEX key tread on the drive-shaft screws, the rear ones to be exact... how can I take those out?

im about to get a grinder and cut all that crap out and replace new... but something tells me there a way...

PSS already tried vice-grips and nothing...

thanks

 

You've already wrecked the heads so not need to try and save them. Cut the heads off, pull the shaft off the cut bolts. The rest of the bolt (in the diff flange) will unscrew by hand. It's not the threads that are seized. It's the underside of the bolt head that's adhered to the flat side of the shaft flange by galvanic corrosion. Buy new bolts. The trick was to "snap" them loose at the start after a squirt of Liquid Wrench (or the like). Unscrewing them with increasing torque doesn't work.

 

I tried to ''snap'' them just like you snap the ones in the valve cover and nothing... my problem was that my HEx key went sideways

so ill cut em and get them new...

what if I cant take the other half out?

thanks

 

Yeah, if the hex wrench goes sideways, that can be a problem. I used a GM brake tool, which happens to be a socket hex that is the exact size as those shaft bolts. They fit real tight and when used with a small universal joint, the hex part stays straight in the hole.
If you cut the heads off and then pull the shaft off, there will be a good piece of the bolt sticking out. Squirt some LW or WD in there but I think you'll be able to turn them by hand. If not, you'll be able to get a set of vise grips on it. Remember that bolt goes all the way through to the other side of the diff flange. Squirt it from behind as well.

 

I did cut them but messed up the washer... had to order 3 washers and 6 screws...

They came out with hand after I took driveshaft out...

Another thing... Can I fill my tranny oil out of the car? All seals sre good since I didnt droped a tear of oil when taking it out...

 

You're talking about those sort of "double" washers that extend between 2 bolts, right? I believe those are critical elements in the integrity of the drivetrain.
Of course you can fill it out of the car. Just make sure you set the final amount on a level surface.

 

Yeah for my understanding they work as a balancing thing? I order em all new since I grind some parts cutting them screws...

thanks for your help.. ill bump back if anything!

 

Be VERY careful when cutting. The bolt heads are right next to VERY thin metal which encases the CV grease.

All it takes is the slightest nick with the cut off tool and you will need a new driveshaft.

 

thanks for letting me know! I didnt cut the screw all the way... just enough to pop off the head with a hammer and flat screwdriver...