Hey all,

Am in the process of replacing the backing plates on the rear end of my 99 blazer, I took the diff. cover off and tried to remove the pinion shaft locking bolt, so I can remove the rear axles. but the bolt is starting to get rounded off and wont budge. any help with this problem would be great!

 

don't use a 12 point boxed end wrench? definitally not the open end
I managed to get a 6 point socket on mine

 

what size is the bolt?

 

Getting that stupid little bolt off is usually tied with heavy curse words.

 

It has blue loctite on the threads

 

Yes, use a 6 point wrench or socket. I have a special tool for snap-on that is actually for brake line bleeders but works great on that bolt too. You may be able to find a similar tool at a parts store. It looks like this http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

 

thanks for everyones input.....the bolt is 8mm, and I was able to bust it loose when I bought a 1/4 universal swival and was able to get a socket on it.

 

I have actually had the head break off of that bolt.GRRRRRRRRRRR
The shaft that the bolt goes through had very slightly worn into the smooth part of the bolt. This had the bolt in a bind. I have no idea why it did this.
Always tap both ends of the shaft you are removing and watch to see that it just barely moves back & forth to be sure it is not binding on the bolt before trying to remove the bolt.

 

I broke the bolt off in my IROC. I just replaced the rear end since I had another disc brake rear end in the shed.

If I ever do another one I will use a propane torch to heat the bolt up a little first to soften/loosen the loctite on the threads.