Does anybody know what size bolts are supposed to hold the spiders onto the U-joints? The bolts on mine are someplace between 8 and 7 mm, but nothing in the arsenal fits them good enough to get them out. Neither do Vice-Grips, and now I got a few more that are rounded off.

Is it some funky size, do I need some kind of special socket from Chrysler, or did the previous owner put some stupid things on? And does anybody have any tricks for getting them out?

Thanks.

 

I don't remember the wrench size. Replacements are available as Spicer kits from you local NAPA or other auto parts store. The trick I use is if I know I'm going to take something apart I put it up on the rack the night before and soak all the rusty bolts down with either Kano-Kroil or Blaster. I spray both sides. I respray in the morning before I get ready to start. I take a 3/8 breaker bar and a six point socket and try to free them up. If they won't turn I then take a 2 pound brass hammer and GENTLY nudge them by striking the handle about 3 inches down. I never force them out once they start to free up. I work them back in and out until they free themselves up. Throw the vice grips away or use them for clamping sheet metal for welding. They usually cause more damage than they do good.

 

5/16" (at least mine are). I have always just used a short box-end wrench.

Carl

 

It sounds like you have rounded the head of the bolt off and thats why you cant get them loose......the wrench just slips? Well if that is the case this is what i do!
Get a good qulity ,6 point,5/16 socket. Now get a drift or a round peases of steel and a hammer. Put the drift over the head of the bolt(must be bigger in diamiter then the head of the bolt)and beat the snott out of it, till is is musrummed bad enought that the socket will not fit on the bolt at all! then line the six point of the socket with the six points of the bolt, and beat the socket on to the bolt!
If it gos on with vary little hammering you need to mushroom it more!

now that you have a tight fit, put your ratchet on the socket,pull furmly on the ratchet will you hit the ratchet form behind!
This is going to damage your tools but if it don't work your out of luck!!!

Just one more note, if the previse installer put lock tight on the bolt, heating up the yoke,were the bolts are,will loosen up the lock tight!
K, i have ramboled on enought and, Good luck!!