Why are my bolts loose?

[John U]

I went to remove my right side driveshaft in order to remove my crossover pipe.
The bolts on the driveshaft at the gearbox were all loose. Some I could turn by hand!
Anyone seen this before?
Should I be using loctite upon reinstalling?
Thanks
John U

[Mike Griese]

Don't use loctite, but do use a torque wrench.

[David T]

Someone must have removed those bolts at some point in the past. As per ST-09-7/81 the torque spec is M10 x 17 Shaft to inner and outer drive shafts, 30 Ft/Lbs or 40 N/M. I don't think you need to use thread-locker. Check all of the bolts on both sides and the boots for cuts, rips, and tears. Do not allow the shaft to drop or hang from one side, you will bend the cup that secures the boot.

[John U]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking it may have been a previous owner that didn't tighten them. Boots are all fine.
Will a socket even fit on there in order to use a torque wrench?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking it may have been a previous owner that didn't tighten them. Boots are all fine.
Will a socket even fit on there in order to use a torque wrench?

A socket won't fit. You can use a crows foot or replace the bolts with "Allen" head.

I had to use a crows foot with an impact wrench to get mine out.

[Josh]

A socket won't fit. You can use a crows foot or replace the bolts with "Allen" head.

Weird... I used a socket and extension to remove my axles the other day.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Weird... I used a socket and extension to remove my axles the other day.

Could not get a socket on mine. Maybe my sockets are to thick walled.

[SS Spoiler]

You have to rotate the shaft to a point where the
socket will slip on....

[DMC-81]

I'm refurbing my drive axles right now, and I saw evidence of red locktite on the original bolts. Also, this similar CV (VW) rebuild thread:http://volksweb.relitech.com/cvjoints.htm says to use thread locker.

After my very first car (a VW) had the bolts back out, I plan to use at least blue locktite. When I think about it, the axles and CV joints are under constant motion and stresses.

[DMCMW Dave]

You can get a high quality thinwall socket on the axle flange bolts. Not an impact, and not some crummy Harbor Freight specials.

[John U]

Thin socket worked. All torqued to 30 ftlbs. Left side was already at 30 ftlbs. Thanks all!
John

[Nicholas R]

Before I switched to socket head cap screws, I always used a 3/8" drive 10mm socket to take the bolts out and in. A 1/2" drive socket is usually a little too thick.

[John U]

The bolts are 17mm

[PJ Grady Inc.]

A socket won't fit. You can use a crows foot or replace the bolts with "Allen" head.

I had to use a crows foot with an impact wrench to get mine out.

The tool truck sourced sockets...Snap-on, Mac, Matco etc will fit. Incidently a crows foot with an impact does not sound like very safe idea unless you as quick off the trigger as on!
Rob

[Bitsyncmaster]

The tool truck sourced sockets...Snap-on, Mac, Matco etc will fit. Incidently a crows foot with an impact does not sound like very safe idea unless you as quick off the trigger as on!
Rob

Yes it has to be a quick trigger. As soon as you see it move then a wrench worked. I tried a lower pressure but it did not work and had to go back to 90 PSI.

[David T]

If you do use a "crow's foot" to tighten ANY bolt you must calculate the change in lever arm and change the torque setting accordingly. Torque settings are for sockets centered over the attachment point of the torque wrench. The other problem will be if you are not careful the crows foot will just slide right off the head.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

When the cars were much newer it was somewhat common to encounter an axle that had loose bolts. I'm guessing the factory spec of 30lb's was on the light side so erhaps that's the explanation. Based on my experience I would guess that a spec of about 37lb's would have you in the correct ballpark. That is also the size and factory spec of some of the transmission case bolts. Although I tighten these particular bolts by feel rather than spec the steel flanges are rather forgiving of a little extra torque. I don't ever recall finding a stripped axle thread.

[Bitsyncmaster]

My bolts were very tight even after I got them started loose. Had to use a wrench to get each bolt all the way out. So I chased the threads with a tap and then the bolts could be started finger tight.

Not sure if all the cars are the same but that would result in less real torque on the bolts than your torque wrench is set for.