Hey,

Imagine my excitement when I found a set of D21 manual hubs in the junkyard. They're rare in working condition around here, so I was pretty happy.

Then, I broke one of my stupid damned ball-style hex ends off in the second hub bolt I tried to get loose. Guh.

That broken piece isn't coming out of the hex bolt, and I had no luck getting the bolt out with various vice grips, wrenches and about a half-can of PBlaster. It's freaking *tight*.

So, any ideas or tricks? I can't take a torch into the yard, so heat is out. There's got to be a way to get that bad-boy loose.

Thanks!

S

That sucks

Are they the right spline count for your truck? It would suck to find out they won't fit after all this work.

I would attempt to drill out the broken piece. When you drill, stop every so often to see if the piece is loose.

If all else fails, weld (or JBWeld) a bolt to the end and use a socket.

Yeah, I didn't have my cordless drill with me, but drilling it out seems like the only reasonable plan. The stupid part of it all is that this will have to wait until next weekend now, because the yard is only open until 5:00 all week, and I... you know... work and stuff until 5:00. I hope I can get back before the truck gets crushed. Bleh.

I assumed that JB wouldn't be strong enough for something like this... am I wrong?

S

cordless drill and a bolt extracter kit from Harbor Freight. They have them for around ten bucks.

Hammer and punch? Beat that little tidbit into submission.

cut the allen head off.

Smacking them straight on with a hammer or punch is a good idea before even trying to loosen them. It'll break them loose a bit.

-Spike