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removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:17 am
by monkeymissile
while installing my new locking hubs, I noticed that one of the drive flange studs is broken off flush with the flange. I was able to remove the flange so I have a short nub left. I looked through the manuals and it appears that these are just threaded studs so I assume I just apply some penetrant and have at it with vice grips.
Any advice or words of wisdom?
Thanks
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:23 pm
by Cal_Gary
If you have enough "nub" try a small pipe wrench instead of vise grips, as the pipe wrench gets tighter on the nub as you turn it. Also, since I'm in the middle of my rear springs project I've become a big proponent of using heat around the area of the broken stud/bolt/etc. Heat works wonders! I have a Bernzomatic with a can of MAPP gas, as it burns hotter than propane, and it is at times the only solution to free up frozen metal. Also, I had a rear flange stud broken on mine, down in the hub, and a drill and easy-out took it out.
Good luck!
Gary
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:59 pm
by hbb
Cal_Gary wrote:If you have enough "nub" try a small pipe wrench instead of vise grips, as the pipe wrench gets tighter on the nub as you turn it. Also, since I'm in the middle of my rear springs project I've become a big proponent of using heat around the area of the broken stud/bolt/etc. Heat works wonders! I have a Bernzomatic with a can of MAPP gas, as it burns hotter than propane, and it is at times the only solution to free up frozen metal. Also, I had a rear flange stud broken on mine, down in the hub, and a drill and easy-out took it out.
Good luck!
Gary
If you don't have enough to get a hold of a small punch or chisel and small hammer with some patience will work also.
hb
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:20 am
by monkeymissile
thanks, I'll give those all a try. Appreciate it!
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:09 pm
by monkeymissile
got the stud out w/o much trouble. Are replacements hard to find? My local stores didn't have any.....
thanks
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:03 pm
by hbb
You might Try Charles Talbert @
http://www.mseriesrebuild.com.
hb
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:55 am
by Lifer
I learned the pipe wrench trick the hard waay. I twisted off a stud while removing the exhaust/intake manifold form a slant-six Dodge. Like most people, I tried the vise grip approach, but they kept slipping off, no matter how hard I had to squeeze to lock 'em. I was about to grind off what stub there was left and drill it out when my eyes landed on my set of pipe wrenches. Knowing that the harder you pull, the tighter they grip, I tried the smallest one and managed to get a little bit of a bite on the stud. Crossing my eyes 'cuz my fingers were occupied, I give it a tug and felt movement. A couple more tugs and I turned it out the rest of the way with my fingers.

Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 4:55 am
by monkeymissile
Lifer wrote:I learned the pipe wrench trick the hard waay. I twisted off a stud while removing the exhaust/intake manifold form a slant-six Dodge. Like most people, I tried the vise grip approach, but they kept slipping off, no matter how hard I had to squeeze to lock 'em. I was about to grind off what stub there was left and drill it out when my eyes landed on my set of pipe wrenches. Knowing that the harder you pull, the tighter they grip, I tried the smallest one and managed to get a little bit of a bite on the stud. Crossing my eyes 'cuz my fingers were occupied, I give it a tug and felt movement. A couple more tugs and I turned it out the rest of the way with my fingers.

even after removing one of the lug nuts, there wasn't enough room for even my smallest pipe wrench. Fortunately the broken stud didn't put up much of a fight....
Re: removing a broken drive flange stud
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:55 am
by Cal_Gary
I may have an extra new stud if you're interested. Shoot me a PM....
Gary