any tips/experience on removing the passenger side front axle shaft bolts. I can't get my 1/2in breaker bars in there and can't get any leverage with box wrenches. (they are bolts and nuts). I Kroiled them multiple times. Got the driver side off OK with the 1/2 breaker bat and a box wrench jammed on the frame but cant figure how to get something onto the bolts to put some force on them.

Post deleted by Stevie

ive always done it with 2 box wrenches or get a pipe and smash it alittle to allow the wrench to fit into it and they your golden

OR lock the hub get the front wheel on the ground and lean into that sucker once removed unlock hub spin shaft...lock up 6 times

MAC,
If you are trying to turn the bolt heads instead of the nuts, it isn't going to happen! The bolts are pressed in. I use a 1/2 inch breaker bar and just go for it. Then click here for a great cheap mod before you put it all back together!

If you can't figure a way to fit a breaker bar in there with enough leverage, find a friend with an impact gun. A gun and an extension pops those off in 10 seconds. Even a cheapy electric impact should do the job fine, although if you see yourself doing lots of projects in the future, its well worth the money to buy a good air gun. It'll cut a lot of projects down to half the time it would take you without air <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

-Scerb

I agree. Impact guns, and air ratchets are awesome, and do save a lot of time, especailly on long bolts with shallow threads like u-bolts. Good luck.

The poor man's impact wrench: hit the box end wrench with a hammer.

got 'em. thanks all for your inputs.
what do you think of electric impsct wrenches?
don't have a compressor.

The only experience I've had with electric impacts is the cheap $70 one I got from harbor freight. It was 270ft*lbs. it was good for changing tires but not much else. I am not sure about the upper end electrics, and I hope someone will chime in on those.

I have a 20gal compressor and a Chicago Pneumatic 800ft*lbs titanium air gun. The thing is MUCH smaller than any electric i've seen, and only weighs like 8lbs. And it revs MUCH higher than the electric gun I have, which helps many times such as when you're undoing a ball joint nut and the ball joint stud spins with the nut. You put the gun on it and it'll spin the nut off the stud so fast the stud doesn't have a chance to spin.

Not to mention the 800ft*lbs that undoes almost anything, although being from new england I still break out the 4ft pipe "godzilla" if something is rusted too bad.

I beleive my gun was $230 and the tank about the same. I'd say for <$500 you could have a nice air setup. Of course I bought one of the best guns.. you could save a lot of money by getting a less expensive 500ft*lbs gun of good quality for example.

An electric gun may work dandy for you.. hopefully someone will give input on those. I use my cheap electric when I'm just changing tires and dont want to charge up my air tank.

-Scerb

i have a snap-on electric impact gun and a very cheap air gun. i like using the snaon but its so damn bulky and heavy its hard to get into some tight spots. im looking to get a whole new air setup as well. id stay away from the electrics butbot have there pros and cons