Percy TR6 Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi all - in the process of taking the gearbox out as the O/D needs looking at and have hit my first hurdle. Struggling to undo the bolts holding the propshaft to the gearbox. Is there a trick to this or is it just brute force/heat/WD40 etc? Thanks, Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
glasgow4a Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Just tight Steve 3/8 unf nylocs 9/16 af spanner Ian, all the best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 You could try the candle method mentioned on here a weeks ago, but I think it will brute force in the end. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) I have used since 1972 one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/snap-on-9-16-combination-spanner-/112310934422?hash=item1a2640db96:g:y0gAAOSwImRYcQD2 and one of these https://primetools.co.uk/product/stahlwille-20a-double-ended-ring-spanner-12-x-916/ An open ended spanner will usually not do the job if the whole thing has been correctly tightened. Plus you will not get it tightened again properly either using open ended spanners. Not enough rooom to rotate the spanner. Peter W Edited February 24, 2017 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dingle Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I have found it helpful to take 2 old 9/16" combination spanners, cut off the open end and weld or crimp a 10"12" length of 1/4' pipe on the ends. It gives enough leverage to loosen&tighten the prop shaft bolts easily. Berry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Percy TR6 Posted February 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Thanks for the feedback guys. I have a 9/16 ring spanner but struggling to get enough purchase on it and don't want to bugger up the nuts. Will keep trying. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi Steve, if you have a nut on the propshaft flange that you can get the ring of a combination spanner onto then it is simple to extend its length. Get another combination spanner and attach its ring onto a prong of the spanner on the prop. It doesn't take much trial and error to get it right. If the bolt is tight then you don't even need another spanner on the bolt head. It will hold itself until the nut breaks its grip. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Percy TR6 Posted February 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 At the moment it's less about leverage and more about getting a spanner onto the nut securely. I can't seem to get the spanner to hold so am in danger of rounding the nuts when the spanner slips. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 You are rotating it so you crack one at a time from the bottom? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Hi Steve, the nut/bolt was fitted so a ring spanner will fit one way or another. If it really is difficult to fit your ring spanner then perhaps buy another and grind the ring down until it fits correctly. This becomes a 'special propshaft spanner'. As Neil states get the nut/bolt into the best position to undo. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 +1. There's a sweet spot where the nuts are easier to get to as the UJ knuckle moves out of the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Take it out of Gear and Handbrake off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Take it out of Gear and Handbrake off. and do not forget to punch mark both ends before removal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sapphire72 Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) The 9/16" bolt and nut might have been replaced with an incorrect sized bolt and nut. Try a socket, or a metric spanner, or vice-grips if all else fails. Edited February 25, 2017 by Sapphire72 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveN Posted February 25, 2017 Report Share Posted February 25, 2017 Good quality flat ring spanners! Most of what you buy is far to thick on the ring, to get the strength. So invest in some decent spanners. Snap-on are my choice but I will lower myself to Facom! ;-) Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Percy TR6 Posted February 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) Well, after multiple applications of WD40 over the last 2 days and an extra shredded wheat at breakfast this morning, I can happily announce that movement has occurred! Happy days.Two ring spanners; one on the nut, one on the bolt head. Full body weight and max effort! Many thanks again for the input guys......if nothing else it gave me the confidence and determination to keep going. Nest question.......I was about the mark both sides so I can reconnect in the same place but noticed there is already a mark on both sides - unfortunately they are misaligned by 180 degrees.Do I assume a PO reconnected in the wrong position and re-mate the marks that are there or do I make my own marks on the basis that the car seems to have been working fine?? Edited February 26, 2017 by Percy TR6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sapphire72 Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 I was about the mark both sides so I can reconnect in the same place but noticed there is already a mark on both sides - unfortunately they are misaligned by 180 degrees. Do I assume a PO reconnected in the wrong position and re-mate the marks that are there or do I make my own marks on the basis that the car seems to have been working fine?? Way to go, Percy. Persevere with the tough nuts! Get the drive-shaft balanced by a reputable specialist. It'll cost a little bit, but may allow your universals a longer life with less vibration. Then, re-mate matching the existing marks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) If it was fine before put it back as is as somebody may have done it before.And new nuts and bolts. Edited February 26, 2017 by ntc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Percy TR6 Posted February 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 On closer inspection, as well as unaligned scribe marks, I have found two aligned dot punch marks, so I will go with them. Next question.......Could someone clarify where I disconnect the overdrive from the gearbox? I assume it is by the nuts towards the rear of the car and not the bolts further forward (where there appears to be a thin gasket)? I've attached a link to photo of a gearbox for clarification (at least I think I have!) https://goo.gl/photos/YcUKTC5L8ajkvpU78 Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Yes undo the Yellow,you do realise it's not just a Simple Job and to Reinstall you need to know what your doing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Percy TR6 Posted February 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Niall - appreciate the heads-up. I have no intention of trying to service the O/D but from what I have read I was under the impression I will be able to remove it and send it off to be reconditioned. I have studied the Brown Book with regard to reinstallation but if it proves too difficult I have a local garage with the necessary experience. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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