Will trying to replace axles, the spider gear shaft retaining bolt broke, just about in half. ou: What can I do now to remove the rest of it! GM 8 1/2" 10 bolt. ElectraJim
I was so pissed, I spelled retaining wrong in the title! I found out, that the bolt must have broken before I got to it. It appears that the broken end of the bolt is through the pin and into the other side of the case. The bolt piece i removed wasn't that long. The "crack" i heard must have been the small half, I had, breaking loose. Electrajim
Jim- Yes, you are correct. More than likely it was already broken. 99 times out of a 100 you can take a pick and spin the broken piece out. If by some strange reason it doesnt come out that way, you can get a special tool to remove it. The tool is made by www.skywaytools.com The new pin is in the Help aisle at the local pep boys
I encounter this problem frequently when I am at the yards yanking the posi units from salvage cars. I magnetize an 8d finishing nail....use one of the new superstrong magnets and leave it on the nail. Slide the nail inside the case and gently withdraw it and most of the time for me....the first effort will remove the broken shank. Those screws always break after the last thread....so the smooth shank is what is left inside the case. Also, make sure the pinion cross shaft is centered in the case...you don't want the weight of the pin putting any pressure on the broken shank. If it doesn't work on the first try...give it another try and see what happens. If all else fails, get the kit with the drill to try and drill it out. Good Luck!
A few times a month I pull out my Matco "clone" pin removal tool & the cordless drill. Never failed me yet, even on pins broken in 3 pieces. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=92021
