Has anyone replaced the front driveshaft/transfer case strap with a U bolt?

Demolition_x · May 31, 2011

I am having some u joint problems and I am sure it is probably my front drive shaft. I tried removing the bolts for the strap at the transfer case and they just rounded the heads of the bolts. Has anyone replaced the strap with U bolts like you can for the rear shaft?

I know its tight up there with the u joints and the flange for the yoke but I cant get the bolts out and was just going to chisel the heads off.

I would rather go into doing this project knowing someone has done it before...

Thanks in advanced

RCP Phx · May 31, 2011

There are no "straps" on the t-case side of the front driveshaft.

Demolition_x · May 31, 2011

RCP Phx said:
There are no "straps" on the t-case side of the front driveshaft.

Well they are like reverse straps. The "Strap" is threaded where as the axle straps are not.

I am trying to remove the driveshaft and cannot budge those bolts and there is limited room to get those bolts out.

NW-ZJ-SCOTT · May 31, 2011

Demolition_x said:
Well they are like reverse straps. The "Strap" is threaded where as the axle straps are not.

I am trying to remove the driveshaft and cannot budge those bolts and there is limited room to get those bolts out.

huh?? :anon:

Demolition_x · May 31, 2011

nw-xj-scott said:
huh?? :anon:

this is what it looks like...

RCP Phx · May 31, 2011

Answered your own question!You need to be using a 6 point wrench!
Anyway,the part you are refering to is the "centering ball" part of the CV joint.

blubullett · May 31, 2011

You are using the wrong size also. Try 5/16. And get a ratchet wrench. I keep one in my underseat tool kit just for the driveshafts.

NW-ZJ-SCOTT · May 31, 2011

x2 Driveline yoke bolts are 5/16ths 6 point.. NOT 8mm..

r33pwrd · May 31, 2011

nw-xj-scott said:
x2 Driveline yoke bolts are 5/16ths 6 point.. NOT 8mm..

same difference

I normally agree except on a 5/16... but might as well use a 5/16 if you have one. And def use a 6 point!

blubullett · May 31, 2011

Actually 8mm is a tiny bit larger then 5/16. Sorry.

r33pwrd · Jun 1, 2011

blubullett said:
Actually 8mm is a tiny bit larger then 5/16. Sorry.

if a tiny bit is .00246" than you are correct

Hoooper · Jun 1, 2011

Demolition_x said:
I am having some u joint problems and I am sure it is probably my front drive shaft. I tried removing the bolts for the strap at the transfer case and they just rounded the heads of the bolts. Has anyone replaced the strap with U bolts like you can for the rear shaft?

I know its tight up there with the u joints and the flange for the yoke but I cant get the bolts out and was just going to chisel the heads off.

I would rather go into doing this project knowing someone has done it before...

Thanks in advanced

has everyone missed this? Assuming the picture posted isnt current and they are actually rounded then the wrench he is using is kind of a moot point.

FYI OP, you cant use a strap on that instead of the bolts. The bolts go from the TC yoke into a yoke on the DS, there is no strap on the DS like on the rear DS, its more or less two yokes bolted together to capture the U joint

blubullett · Jun 2, 2011

r33pwrd said:
if a tiny bit is .00246" than you are correct

Yup. I looked it up when you said they were close enough. It is amazing how much that tiny ammount makes. You can take a 8mm and it just spins on my driveshaft bolts. Use a 5/16 and off they come.

NW-ZJ-SCOTT · Jun 2, 2011

blubullett said:
Yup. I looked it up when you said they were close enough. It is amazing how much that tiny ammount makes. You can take a 8mm and it just spins on my driveshaft bolts. Use a 5/16 and off they come.

exactly. the right tool the first time, can effectively cut down on labor time

Demolition_x · Jun 2, 2011

Hoooper said:
has everyone missed this? Assuming the picture posted isnt current and they are actually rounded then the wrench he is using is kind of a moot point.

FYI OP, you cant use a strap on that instead of the bolts. The bolts go from the TC yoke into a yoke on the DS, there is no strap on the DS like on the rear DS, its more or less two yokes bolted together to capture the U joint

I understand that. I didn't know how to explain it. The picture is just borrowed off the internet.

Hoooper · Jun 2, 2011

i dont get it. if you understand that, what was the point of the thread?

Demolition_x · Jun 2, 2011

Hoooper said:
i dont get it. if you understand that, what was the point of the thread?

I asked if you could replace the strap / yoke half thing with a U Bolt. The bolt heads are rounded and vice grips cannot get them off.

Robs92XJ · Jun 2, 2011

Like others have said, a u-bolt will not work there. Rounding off those bolts is fairly common, since due to threadlocker they require a fairly high break-loose torque out of a 5/16 head, on top of being fairly soft metal to begin with (in my experience). 6 point wrenches help.

I had to dremel and chisel one of mine off, and afterwards replaced all 4 with grade 8 bolts. I think the diameter is 5/16" on these, and the hardware store 5/16" screws had a 1/2" head, which works fine and is much harder to round off. I'm not sure why they used a special reduced-head screw there, besides the ability to service all driveshaft connections with a single 5/16" wrench.

Hoooper · Jun 2, 2011

Hoooper said:
FYI OP, you cant use a strap on that instead of the bolts. The bolts go from the TC yoke into a yoke on the DS, there is no strap on the DS like on the rear DS, its more or less two yokes bolted together to capture the U joint

Demolition_x said:
I asked if you could replace the strap / yoke half thing with a U Bolt. The bolt heads are rounded and vice grips cannot get them off.

:dunno:

Has anyone replaced the front driveshaft/transfer case strap with a U bolt?

Demolition_x

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RCP Phx

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