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diff flange bolts
Miks15 - 10/6/08 at 06:24 PM

My drive shafts are held on with torx bolts, i dont have the right bit and would like to get them off to get the diff lined up and mounting brackets made.

Whats the best way of getting them off? Cutting the heads off? If i cut all the heads off should it all just slide off flange on the diff?

Its a BMW diff btw

Cheers

StevieB - 10/6/08 at 06:30 PM

Best bet is to get down Halfords tonight before it shuts and pick some torx bits up - they won't be too expensive.

Better to use the right tool than make a hash of it (plus you could re-use the bolts too, which will probably even out the cost of the tool bits)

eccsmk - 10/6/08 at 06:31 PM

i had to start mine with molegrips
then undo with the torx bit
then threw them in the bin and replaced with nice new ones and plenty of copper slip

MikeRJ - 10/6/08 at 06:36 PM

They are very, very tight. You'll need a really good quality torx bit. Or an angle grinder...

eznfrank - 10/6/08 at 06:41 PM

I got my driveshafts from a guy who just strips Sierra's and he says he always grinds them off as they're a pig to get off and are usually knackered anyways. On the up side I have a few spare bolts (about 8 i think) that you can have for nowt.

Miks15 - 10/6/08 at 06:43 PM

ye all of mine look qite corroded and some look a bit knakered so id rather not spend the money to get them off and still have to replace them (which ill probably do anyway).

So cutting the heads off works then?

eznfrank - 10/6/08 at 06:46 PM

Yeah cut the heads off, and the driveshafts will slide off. Then get some decent mold grips and get the studs out. Might be worth buying the bits anyway as your gonna have to put 'em back in at some point anyway.

***I just realised yours is BMW so may well be different to mine***

[Edited on 10/6/08 by eznfrank]

Miks15 - 10/6/08 at 06:56 PM

cool, ill get the grinder and cutting disc out tomorrow. cheers guys

les g - 10/6/08 at 07:06 PM

hi miks
sometimes torx bolts are used where space is tight ie wouldn,t be able tto get a socket or spanner on etc have a good look you might need to but allen bolts to go back in place of the torx
just a heads up so be prepared
cheers les g

Miks15 - 10/6/08 at 07:08 PM

cheers les

Paul TigerB6 - 10/6/08 at 07:27 PM

As mentioned above - a set of Torx sockets might be a worthwhile investment. I have a set of 3/8" ones from Halfords and they get used pretty often now i have them. You can buy a single one for probably around £3 or £4