Help! Diff Bolts

jontrip247 · 09-16-2009, 07:14 AM

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to break loose the front/rear differential bolts (fill/drain)?

**FJ FunJunkie** · 09-16-2009, 07:17 AM

Use heat if you have to, or a breaker bar on the wrench. The shop that worked on Trailbus1's rig needed to hit it with a torch.

**1911** · 09-16-2009, 07:23 AM

6-point 24mm socket and a breaker bar.

rockland · 09-16-2009, 07:28 AM

I took mine off with an impact wrench but I guess you would have done that already if you had one.

**Gottagetone** · 09-16-2009, 07:55 AM

Grunt while working the wrench!

jontrip247 · 09-16-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

FJ FunJunkie previously said:

Use heat if you have to, or a breaker bar on the wrench. The shop that worked on Trailbus1's rig needed to hit it with a torch.

I have a torch. Any suggestion on how long to heat it?

jontrip247 · 09-16-2009, 08:02 AM

Breaker bar??

What length would everyone rec. ?

I have both 1/2 & 3/8 sockets

**Gottagetone** · 09-16-2009, 08:34 AM

Breaker bar is a long bar with a socket tip, gives you more leverage.

Harbor Freight has em for pretty cheap, its what I use to remove my tires. It really is an invaluable tool.
Harbor Freight Tools

kokopelli · 09-16-2009, 08:43 AM

Be sure and use a 6-point socket as 1911 said and be sure it's firmly/properly on the plug/bolt/head. A 2 1/2' 1/2" breaker bar is $9.95 at HF. Works just fine.. Ron

Quote:

1911 previously said:

6-point 24mm socket and a breaker bar.

Quote:

jontrip247 previously said:

Breaker bar??

What length would everyone rec. ?

I have both 1/2 & 3/8 sockets

jayman · 09-16-2009, 08:51 AM

On the rear diff, you may find a 6 point 15/16 socket fits tighter.

If the bolts are really stuck on good, always take the fill plug off first. If for any reason the fill plug is seized and you already have drained all the gear oil, you're SOL

Try to enlist a helper, this can even be an older kid or young teen. I've had good luck borrowing the neighbors 12 year old, as he fears me and listens well. Their only job is to tightly hold the socket to the bolt while you try to loosen it. Remember, lefty-loosey and righty-tighty

So, for the rear axle, you're both facing the housing and the front of the vehicle, your legs sticking out from under the rear bumper: the helper would be on the right side of the axle, with a pair of gloves on, firmly holding the socket to the fill plug. You're on the left side, near the left rear tire, putting force downwards on the breaker bar, which will be to the LEFT of the fill plug: lefty-loosey

The rear axle drain plug, you and the helper are in the same position. The breaker bar is still to the LEFT of the drain plug. Except you're [Edit] pushing the breaker bar AWAY from you: lefty-loosey

[I got to thinking about the above paragraph, it was wrong the first try]

The front axle is too tight to enlist/frighten a helper. I should warn you to use a long pair of welding gloves, as its pretty easy to skin yourself if the hex socket pops out, or the plug finally breaks loose