The FFS thread…

[TOBASH]

Starting the FFS thread.

Thread of the unexpected, the unwelcome, the less than enjoyable. Feel free to join in one and all.

Todays slice of Heaven… Simple job gone bad.

In my case, rear axle removal gone sideways on my 1995 Hummer.

I need to remove and replace my rear axles with the correct 12k units. Wrong units came with her as placed by PO. Some genius upgraded the hubs to 12k but then used wrong inner axle flange units.

No problems pulling the E-Brake. No problems pulling the hub sided bolt. Five differential sided bolts came out easily.

Last bolt head rounded off/stripped.

Now removal will need to wait till Sunday. I gotta go to a course tomorrow, and light has faded today. I’ll go to local Ace Hardware and purchase a few washers and nuts and then use some flux core in my mig to attach. Should both restore socket/ratchet purchase and heat soak the bolt.

I’ll of course first try vice grips and propane torch, but my truck’s diff armor makes that a long shot.

Another simple job gone annoying.

FFS!!!

 

[98G]

Every 20 minute job is but one stripped bolt away from becoming a three day ordeal.

 

[TOBASH]

Bolt is out.

New FFS issue.

Differential armor plate is so wide it prevents axle from dropping. The plate is attached to standard ladder protection. The plate is bent up from PO prior expeditions.

I don’t like this plate. Anything that prevents quick trail repairs is bad. My plasma cutter will trim it down. It doesn’t need to be so wide.

Stuck bolt is out. Once half shaft is out I will have pictures for selecting proper half shafts.

More pics to follow. It’s dark now.

 

[Mogman]

That looks like a 12K inner (plunge) end to me, there is more than one inner 12K plunge end, the others are for later model trucks.

The A2 12K trucks use the same drive flanges as the Basic/A1 10K trucks.

Is it possible you are trying to fit the wrong ( ECV/REV) half shafts?

 

[TOBASH]

Yes mog. That’s what the original owner did. I’m now going back to replace with proper parts with the help of RWH.

 

[Mogman]

I see, what flanges did they use?

 

[TOBASH]

I’ll have pics later today

 

[Mogman]

I am sorry, if someone changed the flanges they went to allot of time and effort to screw things up!!
It's always fun to fix other folks screw ups!!

 

[REF]

you may want to look at a set of 6 point sockets for the high torque bolts, the std 12 point have a nasty habit of rounding corners off.

 

[TOBASH]

you may want to look at a set of 6 point sockets for the high torque bolts, the std 12 point have a nasty habit of rounding corners off.

I was using 6-points. This bolt just wanted to play hard to get.

 

[TOBASH]

FFS!!!

Loosened axle after pulled out last offending bolt, undercarriage protection in the way. I cut some lateral steel plate, hoping that would be enough.

Nope! Ladder bar is several millimeters too wide. Gotta drop the f’ing ladder bar.

I’ll try jacking up the vehicle to drop the axle lower BUT I have low expectations.

I will NOT be reinstalling that damned ladder bar. [EDIT- I will narrow the bars and the Aluminum plate and eventually reinstall. Sorry Juan but all the dents and bends on the Aluminum are telling me it is protecting something. ]

 

[TOBASH]

Not sure I have the correct axles OR rotors.

I’m so pissed.

Differential UCP is out. Good riddance!

 

[Mogman]

Looks like you have some mish mashed parts, the 10K/A1 and the A2/12K have a 3 1/2 (aprox but real close) pilot. Measured at the half shaft.
It looks like nether the rotor, drive flange or half shaft come even close, all three, flange/rotor/half shaft should measure the same.
The late model stuff changed but I am unfamiliar with them

 

[Mogman]

I just went out and measured a A1/10K rotor, a A1/10K drive flange also a A1/10K and a A2/12K half shafts with my cheapo Chicom calipers and they all measure 3.54"
They should all measure this way until you get to the later trucks (15K?)
This is to say the A2/12K half shafts will bolt up to the Basic/A1 10K rotor and hubs.

 

[Mogman]

The way the lip is under the rotor at the begining of your tape measure I would suspect the drive flange is 3.54" the rotor and half shaft are from something other than an A1/A2

 

[TOBASH]

The rotors are plain wrong.

RWH was kind enough to go over the images and he has the parts in stock I require. He helps me a lot and is always willing to help so I return the favor through purchasing parts from him.

 

[Mogman]

What is the OD of the rotor?

 

[Mogman]

To bad he just uses PM instead of helping the rest of us with a lesson which is one of the main purposes of this forum.

 

[TOBASH]

To bad he just uses PM instead of helping the rest of us with a lesson which is one of the main purposes of this forum.

RWH is awesome. I don’t live my life on the forum and I texted him. I needed parts, so that’s why he didn’t post to forum. Not anyone’s fault.

Bottom line, the 10” rotor should fit tight. It is loose. It is wrong.

Axle is correct BUT rotor is wrong and went out of balance as it is not tight

 

[Mogman]

The half shaft does not look right, it should have the same pilot dia as the drive hub.