Stud removal 101

[Cruiser804]

I am getting ready to install my rear locking in my 80. I need to remove and replace a couple of the studs. The only way I have ever done this is by using two nuts one on top of the other.

Is there a safer way to do this? I don't want to break any off.

Thanks

 

[Tentsontop]

I did my front axle not too long ago and converted all the old studs to the new torx headed ones. They're 100x's easier to work with. I use the old studs for spares now.

 

[cruiser88]

i just use a punch.there easy to get out

 

[cruiserdan]

Stud removing/installing tools are the very best and, of course, expensive. Snap-on and Mac offer them. They look like a spark plug socket on the outside and the act like a Chinese fingercuff on the inside. They are size-specific (IE 10mm studs-only) and they have a camming device inside. as the tool is rotated the cams move out and grip the stud. when you reverse the tool the cams back off. The load is spread along the entire length of the stud to prevent damaging the threads. I do not have a set of my own but I have borrowed them in the past. I plan to get a set at some point.

 

[Taz]

I had the funky socket a ma gigger thingy Dan is talking about sitting on the bench when I did mine a while back...I still used two nuts, it was faster. Just a word to the wise I would change ALL your studs unless you want to risk them coming loose, tearing the gasket on the third member and having to redo it all over again 2 months later because of the stinky leaking mess in the garage. Don't ask how I learned this but lets just say it was on the front and not the rear which was a real pisser!

 

[IdahoDoug]

Methinks you are all speaking of a random selection of studs (steering knuckle, etc), and I think he's asking about the studs on the hubs that hold the wheel on. These can be simply pounded in from the back.

DougM

 

[Cruiser804]

No, I am takling about the studs in the axle housings that need to be removed and replaced when you added lock diffs to a non-locked 80.

Dan, do you know the sizes needed? Prolly only one right? I guess I can just buy a set from national tool warehouse.

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/prodid.27266/TID./qx/product.htm

 

[cruiserdan]

That is a good set at a very fair price. The rear diff studs are 10mm and the fronts are 8mm.

D-

 

[-Spike-]

I just bought a set of stud removers from Harbor Freight- 4 or 5 in the set, look like deep sockets. Each one will pull a small range of sizes, like 10mm/ 7/16", 12mm/ 1/2". I believe they were labelled with SAE sizes, but work with metric bolts that are close. I bought the set when a friend needed to remove his metric hub studs, just 'cause I like to have stuff like that around. I haven't used them, but he tells me they worked perfectly and didn't damage the threads. The set was around $20-$30 IIRC.

-Spike