Did I do something stupid?

[Bobohunter1776]

Woke up around 10 today and decided you know what I want to do on my day off? Change my diff fluid. Ya know, something easy that needed done and wouldn't take more than an hour or two. Spent the next couple hours chasing down some gaskets. Finally got everything I needed and back home around 1600. Should've probably just postponed it until tomorrow at that point. Instead decided to just go for it anyways. Realize gosh damn it this hasn't been touched since before I bought it and I can only get 3 bolts to budge even with a breaker bar. Decide I don't want to risk stripping any bolts and I'll just tighten those 3 and reasses and do it tomorrow. Go to tighten the first bolt I got loose and of course it decides to snap when I barely get it past hand tightened. Did I do something wrong or does my Jeep just want me to suffer?

 

[2001slvrstntj]

That sucks

 

[Bobohunter1776]

That sucks

Thankfully it looks like enough is still sticking out that I can grab onto it with something. But first I've gotta figure how to get the diff cover off without stripping all of the bolts.

 

[tr21triton]

Yep one of them days when you should of just stayed in bed ! I know those days . screw extractor and lots of praying in your future !

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Yep one of them days when you should of just stayed in bed ! I know those days . screw extractor and lots of praying in your future !

Yep. Makes me feel better that it probably wasn't me just being sloppy at least.

 

[Danarch]

Bummer, I’d try soaking them with PB blaster or something. Not sure how much it will help, especially if there is RTV or on the threads from a previous change.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Bummer, I’d try soaking them with PB blaster or something. Not sure how much it will help, especially if there is RTV or on the threads from a previous change.

Trust me, I have used ample amounts of PB blaster. I'll run by anywhere that's not NAPA tomorrow and see if there's anything stronger.

 

[dvngdg]

When I did mine recently, I used a siphon pump, didn't need to mess with all those bolts, just the one!

 

[OldBuzzard]

Strongest penetrating oil you can get is a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone. PB Blaster is one of the weak ones.

I would try to loosen & re-tighten each bolt by a tiny amount, just kind of rocking it back and forth. Then put penetrating oil on them, let it soak. Then continue to just barely move them back and forth, and very slowly work them out.

If they still won't turn cleanly, try heat (propane torch). You may cook a gasket, and your lube, but you're changing both of those anyway.

 

[tr21triton]

Trust me, I have used ample amounts of PB blaster. I'll run by anywhere that's not NAPA tomorrow and see if there's anything stronger.

get a qt of cheap ATF, a qt of acetone and a spray bottle mix 50/50 ! make your own......

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Strongest penetrating oil you can get is a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone. PB Blaster is one of the weak ones.

I would try to loosen & re-tighten each bolt by a tiny amount, just kind of rocking it back and forth. Then put penetrating oil on them, let it soak. Then continue to just barely move them back and forth, and very slowly work them out.

If they still won't turn cleanly, try heat (propane torch). You may cook a gasket, and your lube, but you're changing both of those anyway.

get a qt of cheap ATF, a qt of acetone and a spray bottle mix 50/50 ! make your own......

Thanks, that sounds like the way to go.

When I did mine recently, I used a siphon pump, didn't need to mess with all those bolts, just the one!

That'd definitely be easier, but I'd like to replace the gasket and inspect my gears. Can't really do that through the fill plug.

 

[TJ Jim]

I followed behind a mechanic that had a bad habit of over tightening bolts. When I would go to remove the bolts every one of them would snap off. So I’m my experience if they were tightened too much you could be the one to experience the broken ones.

 

[Jack72]

You’re living this now. Good luck and God speed!

 

[CreepinDeth]

At least yours is easy to get to
I snapped off a top rear shock mount bolt yesterday

 

[macleanflood]

Welder...once you use this method you'll never drill again.

I got 5 exhaust bolts out of a 2004 WJ today and didn't break anything!

-Mac

 

[Bobohunter1776]

I followed behind a mechanic that had a bad habit of over tightening bolts. When I would go to remove the bolts every one of them would snap off. So I’m my experience if they were tightened too much you could be the one to experience the broken ones.

That's the weird thing, it was when I was tightening it and had barely gotten it more than hand tightened when it snapped. Not too much of a struggle breaking it loose. But it definitely seems like whoever did these last overtorqued most of them but not all.

At least yours is easy to get to
I snapped off a top rear shock mount bolt yesterday

View attachment 451492

View attachment 451498

Yeah I don't envy that. This bolt is far from the end of the world but frustrating nonetheless.

Welder...once you use this method you'll never drill again.

I got 5 exhaust bolts out of a 2004 WJ today and didn't break anything!

-Mac

I would love to if I every found someone that was willing to teach me. I have no idea how hard it is or smart it is to figure out on my own.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

I would love to if I every found someone that was willing to teach me. I have no idea how hard it is or smart it is to figure out on my own.

Go to a local welding supply store, (Linde/ Praxair is who I would go to), and see what they recommend. They may know somebody who will help you, or they may suggest a Community College course. What ever you decide to do, get good equipment, NOT Harbor Freight.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Go to a local welding supply store, (Linde/ Praxair is who I would go to), and see what they recommend. They may know somebody who will help you, or they may suggest a Community College course. What ever you decide to do, get good equipment, NOT Harbor Freight.

The community college I'm at right now does actually have a welding school. Might have to take a few classes next semester.

 

[B1Toad]

I need to do my axles too and I was considering using a pump but I don't think that gets all the fine metal dust out, nor can you inspect things. If I run into bolts that feel too tight I may heat them up with a pencil tip OA torch first.
What's the preferred lube for a Dana 44 without LS and a Dana 30? And what about some good gaskets?

 

[Bobohunter1776]

I need to do my axles too and I was considering using a pump but I don't think that gets all the fine metal dust out, nor can you inspect things. If I run into bolts that feel too tight I may heat them up with a pencil tip OA torch first.
What's the preferred lube for a Dana 44 without LS and a Dana 30? And what about some good gaskets?

The manual says to use 80w90. Everything I've read says that Lubelocker is the way to go for gaskets, couldn't find any though so ended up going with Fel Pro.