HALF SHAFT LOCKING BOLTS

[Inspector 1]

I replaced my rear half shaft. I purchased the locking bolt kit made by Blue Hummer. It is a great idea as well as good quality grade 12.9 bolts. The problem that I had is that the 12 point socket that I used came in contact with the half shaft hub not allowing for a square fit on the bolt. The picture of the half shaft hub is a bit misleading as the distance between the bolt and the hub of the half shaft is much closer than it appears in pic. As you can see from the 1st pic the bolt is stripped due to poor contact. I was able to remove that bolt. I have another bolt that I stripped that I cant remove. I have tried every bolt extraction device made. It is a grade 12.9 bolt so drilling it out is next to impossible given the tight space to work in. I wanted to let anyone who is thinking of using this half shaft bolt locking system to buy a "Torque Adapter". It allows for the installation and removal of the 12 point bolts without coming in contact with half shaft hub. The second bolt pictured is what the new 12 point bolt looks like. I purchased a good quality hardened steel adapter from "Matco" for $30. A well worth investment. The size is a 12 point 10mm adapter. As a side note this is no fault of the quality of the bolt locking kit as the quality and idea are excellent. I take full responsibility for not using the correct tool with my torque wrench. Now if I could just figure out how to remove the stripped bolt. Probably go to a welding shop, and see if they can weld another bolt on top of stripped bolt for removal. As a last resort I took my Dremel Tool and ground the bolt flat on two sides so as to get a wrench on to no avail.

 

[Inspector 1]

I replaced my rear half shaft. I purchased the locking bolt kit made by Blue Hummer. It is a great idea as well as good quality grade 12.9 bolts. The problem that I had is that the 12 point socket that I used came in contact with the half shaft hub not allowing for a square fit on the bolt. The picture of the half shaft hub is a bit misleading as the distance between the bolt and the hub of the half shaft is much closer than it appears in pic. As you can see from the 1st pic the bolt is stripped due to poor contact. I was able to remove that bolt. I have another bolt that I stripped that I cant remove. I have tried every bolt extraction device made. It is a grade 12.9 bolt so drilling it out is next to impossible given the tight space to work in. I wanted to let anyone who is thinking of using this half shaft bolt locking system to buy a "Torque Adapter". It allows for the installation and removal of the 12 point bolts without coming in contact with half shaft hub. The second bolt pictured is what the new 12 point bolt looks like. I purchased a good quality hardened steel adapter from "Matco" for $30. A well worth investment. The size is a 12 point 10mm adapter. As a side note this is no fault of the quality of the bolt locking kit as the quality and idea are excellent. I take full responsibility for not using the correct tool with my torque wrench. Now if I could just figure out how to remove the stripped bolt. Probably go to a welding shop, and see if they can weld another bolt on top of stripped bolt for removal. As a last resort I took my Dremel Tool and ground the bolt flat on two sides so as to get a wrench on to no avail.

Update on the half shaft bolt removal: I went by "Bruce's Rod Shop" today in Spring Texas. Danny Burroughs, the son of the owner Bruce Burroughs, welded a bolt onto the end of my stripped bolt and out it came. When I asked how much I owed him he asked if I was ex military? I told him yes, USAF. He shook my hand and said thank you for my service and
there would be no charge. They own an awesome shop run by an awesome group of individuals!!