Removing Rear Axle?

Topic: Removing Rear Axle? (Read 1360 times) previous topic - next topic

Removing Rear Axle?

October 29, 2005, 04:40:15 PM

Hey guys,
I have what seems even to me like an easy question, but I have to ask anyway. I am trying to remove the rear axle on my '83 LS, and I've got all the nuts broken free from the bolts. However, I cannot get the lower control arm bolts out of their bind to back them out. If the axle is hanging fully extended, held by the shocks and the upper control arms, how is there still a load on the lower control arm bolts so much that they will not come out? I know I'm missing something simple, but can somebody please give me a hand. Also, what is the bolt head style of the bolts holding the driveshaft onto the rear U-joint? It's not a regular hex head. More like a 10 or 12 pointed head. Thanks for any assistance.

Fordman3

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #1 – October 29, 2005, 08:44:21 PM

The bolts are 12mm 12-point bolts.

The control arm bolts are very likely seized into the steel sleeve inside the control arm bushings. You might try using an air chisel, but more likely you're gonna have to cut 'em out (and replace the bushings).

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #2 – October 29, 2005, 10:27:02 PM

Soak'em wit WD-40 let them sit overnight then take a BFH to them. You might have to use a punch or something to get to the end of the bolt but they'll come out. This is what I did when removing the rear in my '82 and '86 t-birds

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #3 – October 30, 2005, 05:07:48 AM

Put a jack under the center section, and dissconnect the shocks and driveshaft. Then raise and lower the axle until ya get to a point where there is no tension on the bolts. There is still tension on them if the axle is just hanhing down.:D

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #4 – October 30, 2005, 06:38:14 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think Cougarman ishiznitting it on the head; there is still a load or tension on the bolts. They will actually turn fairly easily and I guess could back themselves out, but I'm afraid the threads would be ruined by the time they came out. Here's another question; do the rear springs need to be out to relieve the tension on the lower control arms? Or can they even come out until the whole axle is dropped? It seems that, as I'm supporting and lifting the center section, I'm compressing the springs and putting more load on the bolts. The one step I've not been able to do is drop the driveshaft, since I wasn't sure what type of socket I needed to remove the bolts. Maybe doing that will help. Since we had to turn the clocks back, I now can only work on my car on the weekends, since it'll be dark every day by 5pm when I get home. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

Fordman3

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #5 – October 30, 2005, 07:05:41 PM

The springs will not help the tension issue, so they should be removed. You should be able to remove them by unbolting the rear shocks and letting the rear hang.

Just because they turn doesn't mean they're not seized to the sleeves inside the control arm bushing - the bushing may be separated from the rubber, allowing it to turn with the bolt. Hopefully it is just tension causing your problem, 'cuz seized bolts are a BITCH. I've a lot of experience with seized control arm bolts - it was a common issue with Isuzu truck frame recalls...

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #6 – October 30, 2005, 11:23:14 PM

Quote

The springs will not help the tension issue, so they should be removed. You should be able to remove them by unbolting the rear shocks and letting the rear hang.

whoops, yea remove the springs also.:D

Removing Rear Axle?

Reply #7 – November 02, 2005, 12:12:20 PM

I used homemade jackstands to put under the spring pockets on the LCA's and it worked wonders...although it wasn't very high off the ground. 5-6 2"x6" pieces of wood approx. 10" long stacked and screwed together...i know it sounds cheesey, but it worked well.