The 54's rearend has a major problem right now its a 10 bolt out of a 80 malibu wagon. The axle seal started leaking fluid out on the p*** side the other day so I decided to change it and rebuild the brakes. Well I took the cover off the rearend and took the little 5/16ths bolt out but it broke off in the third member with about one thread still in there with the rest of the shaft of the bolt. I've tried getting it out by tring to use a punch to spin it out but the broken piece wont budge. I can't really get a drill in there very well because the housing is in the way for me to drill a straight hole for an ease out. Has anyone had this problem before? And what did you do to fix it? I'm in the process of preping another rearend to go under there. I just wish I could get the piece out so I could get the pin out of the rearend and take the axles out to change the seals. The rearend is a real nice one I hate to junk it. Any help would be really apreciated so I could get my 54 on the road to make it to dewey.
Never had that problem, but I did take a couple of bolts that held a powersteering bracket out of a block. They had sheared almost flush with the block. To fix it, we just found a nut that was bigger than the bolts, held them up aruond the where the bolt was and filled the center with weld. Then you can just take a wrench and pull it out. I don't know if you have enough clearance to get a mig in there, but you can get them in most anywhere. I've used it to fix lots of broken bolts.
the problem is the bolt is broken off down in the hole away's. and that trick wouldn't work on this bolt problem. Its about 4 or 5 threads down in the hole.
Kustomd...that is a common problem with GM rearends, usually after the bolt breaks the cross pin ends up being galled up making it a real ***** to get out...that has been my experience anyway. I was able to drill a broken bolt out once, but I was replacing the carrier ***embly, so it didnt matter how much it got screwed up. If you have another rear end, you may be better off swapping it out, as it may be less trouble...just my opinion.
Use a left handed drill bit in a right angle drill.If that does not get it out torch the end of the crosspin by the cross bolt.Then use BFH on pin.
Matco Tools makes an extractor kit to solve this problem. It comes with a drill guide-bolt that goes into the broken bolt hole. A supplies drill is used in the guide to drill a hole in the end of the stub for a supplied extractor. We learned that hammering on the housing next to the bolt BEFORE and while loosening the bolt would improve our odds of getting the whole bolt to come out. Try it next time.
Hey thanks does that tool company have a website with that tool on it I would be very interested in getting something to fix those broken bolts with I know of several gm rearends around here that are sitting with the same problem.
I hate it when that happens! I've had this happen a couple times in the past, and to add to what tommy said about the hammer on the carrier works... Just to loosen the pin a little. I've actually wacked it pretty good & was able turn the pin back out w/ a pick. Not to be a ****, but ever since I broke my last one I always wack the carrier a couple times befre removing that pin & never had a problem since...but hindsights 20/20 Good Luck! BYC
Is the tool specifically for removing the bolts from gm rearends? What would it be called on the website? I found the site but there were several bolt extractor kits to choose from. Thanks alot.
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