|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Differential bolt spinning free. How to remove?
Changing out the differential mount on my '83 300SD. As I'm tightening one of the bolts, I hear a pop with about 1/4 inch of threads still showing. Now the bolt just spins freely in either direction. At the same point of each rotation I hear the same light pop and see the end of the nut strip twitch.
I assume the nut has broken free of the strip. Anybody have suggestions on removing this bolt? Can you even drill out a free spinning bolt? All I can think of is holding the bolt head with locking pliers while drilling up through the bolt head, but that seems like a three handed job.
__________________
Greg Schwall 1983 300SD - 465,000 miles |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Is it the 22mm bolts or the 13mm? If it is the 22mm, there is a chance the diff. cover bolt hold cracked. Try to remove the whole cover with the mount intact. then you can see if you can remove it.
If it is the 13mm, then try somehow shoving a screw driver in the body to hold down the locking nut on the body frame.
__________________
1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
It's one of the 13mm bolts. And it's the one furthest from the differential, making it even harder to reach with a screwdriver. I'll try tomorrow though.
__________________
Greg Schwall 1983 300SD - 465,000 miles |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Well today I removed the other bolt and pulled half of the nut strip out, confirming my suspicions. The tab for the other half of the strip was still sticking its tongue out at me on the far side of the frame member,
I removed the other three bolts and lowered the diff to put tension on the remaining bolt - no good. I tried to wedge a screwdriver against the nut, but couldn't apply enough force to stop it from spinning. Plus the bolt has rounded corners, making it even more unfriendly. Lowering the diff did create enough of a gap between the mount and frame to fit a hacksaw blade. Unless I think up something better, I'll cut off the bolt and try to fish it and the nut out. If it's too big to fit out the hole for the nut strip, then I'll be stuck with a rattle back there.
__________________
Greg Schwall 1983 300SD - 465,000 miles |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|