CV Joints- How?

[thekidd]

My Passenger side CV joint is going bad (that clicking sound!) and I tried to take them screws out, but they were not budging. What tools do you need to take out the allen head screws? Obviously the allen head wrench, but that alone isnt doing the trick. I didnt want to turn the wrench with a hammer because Id probally strip the bolt. Would a power drill work, or will that be to much, will it fit even? Anything would be helpfull.

[John_AZ]

8mm ---Triple Square---or Cheesehead---or XZN---or ....

You can get a set of 4 sizes at most autoparts stores for about $15. Poor cheap quality.

Your can get a set from SnapOn or ???? (shop quality) for about $60.

Napa--Sears ----The more you spend the longer they will last.

GL
John

[Quinlan]

Make sure you tap them into the bolt head when you use them - much like an allen head, they will strip easily if not engaged all the way. Don't use a drill or an impact wrench - just a socket wrench, maybe with a length of pipe to extend the leverage if they are really stuck.

[smokin_944]

John is correct, the real name is triple square and it is 8mm. Make sure to clean the head of the bolt completely so that the triple square fits perfectly in the head of the bolt. Ensure that you are at 90 degrees from the bolt with your wrench or ratchet. If the PO torqued the bolts correctly you should be able to break them loose easily as the torque value for these is 30 ft. lbs. The CV bolts are not meant to be re-used so be sure to get new ones or even upgrade them to Ideola's secure bolts with locking clips. Good luck.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by smokin_944

The CV bolts are not meant to be re-used so be sure to get new ones or even upgrade them to Ideola's secure bolts with locking clips. Good luck.

[rmcdonnell]

You might substitute commonly available (well in the UK anyway) high tensile allen cap head bolts.

I got some black, allen cap head M8x50mm high tensile, 12.9, bolts, 10 bolts for £3.30, and some standard BZP shakeproof washers. The bolts should be high tensile, proper bolts with smooth untapped shanks, and using shakeproof washers is also dead important, as otherwise the bolts will back out the first chance they get.

Last time I checked Porsche wanted £1.80 for each 12 point, or triple square bolt, not available until next week...

cheers
Rissole

[bell]

A little trick for stubborn axle bolts with damaged heads....
Heat, vice grips, AND the allen...heat up the head.....clip on the vice grips tight then turn that and the allen at the same time.....once they break loose you're golden....
Heat will make the biggest difference, propane will work fine just be cautious as always with the flame.