stealthbob Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I should start off with the fact I have never played with one of these, just looking at it gives me the willies but armed with my shop manual, YouTube videos and forums like this I should be fine....I think:confused:I have what may be a silly question but alas I'm suck. How do you remove the pin that holds the pinion shaft? I removed the screw but the pin is in there with nothing to grab it. I thought of using a magnet but mine is with my work tools....surely there is a simple trick or I'm missing something simple.This is for a 54 Buick: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Does the screw look like it broke off from the rest of the pin? On more current models the pin includes the screw threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Well upon close examination...yes it would seem that it did beak off.Must have been broke before I removed it because the end is all oil stained and not shiny.So advice from here....?The bolt only has about 1/2" of thread so likely there is still thread left on what is in there. Maybe the previous mechanic bottomed out and over tightened it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Magnet if you are lucky. Left hand drill if you are not.............Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) That is what I kind of thought was what happened. There are two or three options that you can pursue and in order of a perfect world, 1. GM made a special tool that looks like a large C clamp with a hole on the normal anvil end. You would slide it around the carrier and tighten the screw which would break the retainer pin that keeps the pinion shaft in place. You could then disassemble the rear end by removing the non retained pinion shaft and punch out the pin. I will try to post the "J" tool number and maybe a picture tomorrow. 2. You can try to drill out the retaining pin and use an extracter to pull out the retainer pin, but if you damage the hole that the retainer pin goes into by going off center the carrier might be damaged. I would not do this.3. What most experienced technicians do in this situation is to get a BIG punch and drive the pinion shaft that is being held by the retainer pin that had the screw head attached out the other side of the carrier shearing off the small retainer pin. This is what solution #1 does except it is done with a large hammer and punch.Hope this helps. Edited January 31, 2011 by Larry Schramm (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 It does... thanksI will sleep on it and make attempts tomorrow.The drill was my first thought but it would certainly be off center as there would be an angle required to reach the hole. Knowing that I could fatally damage the carrier made me think twice...I would rather not go the the hammer approach...all those bearings taking that would take a hit would concern me so that leaves me with maybe the force push method and I believe I have the tool required.I still may try to finesse the screw out, maybe try to magnetize a bolt really well and thread in and hope the pin follows as I take it out...doubtful yes but it certainly is the less risky of all methods.Thanks, I will report back...wish me luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I will try to post a picture of the tool, but it will be tomorrow night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick60 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Try spraying carb cleaner or brake parts cleaner on the pin to remove the grease. If you have an air compressor, use air pressure to get the carb or brake cleaner into the pin clearance area. Once the area is clean you may be able to remove the broken piece with a magnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) Here is a link that shows the tool. It is a Kent-Moore J-35640 PINION SHAFT REMOVERGoogle Image Result for http://www.costplustools.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/kmtj-35640_thumbnail.jpg&maxx=100&maxy=100and one for saleKENT MOORE J-35640 PINION SHAFT REMOVER C CLIP - eBay (item 200566877435 end time Feb-17-11 12:52:09 PST) Edited January 31, 2011 by Larry Schramm (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Well the magnet is a no go...it may be torqued in there as it may be bottomed out.So I'm guessing that the tool you posted goes all the way around the carrier right? I have a good puller where I can grab the inside edges of the carrier and push on the shaft....but will that break the edges of the carrier where I'm grabbing?I guess I need to buy a tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Seems like this is more common than I thought...Broken Pinion Shaft Bolt - NastyZ28.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Well I can report success!Thanks for all the support, in the end all it took was patience and the correct tool....I think the cleaning and air blasting helped alot to free it and make it as loose as possible. All it took then was to try and have my son hold the light steady and me pick the damm thing out. I found that backing off and then forward worked best...it would bind from time to time.....I'm not going to admit how long I was at it but I'll say this I have a bunch of "empties" on the bench that say it was quite a while I used a pick from a Dental Pick Set my Dad bought me a while back when I was complaining about some other job that I didn't have the right tool for...here is a pic of the pick and the bolt...notice only one turn left of thread.Again thanks....I think now I will leave the rest until tomorrow when I have a "Fresh Mind" uuurrrrp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Bob,Congrats on success.Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Thouse are the type of jobs I hate when a customer asks " How long is it going to take to fix?" ,, Well sir.. how long is a piece of string?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Bob, apparently the pinion didn't floss very often. Nice job. Patience is certainly your ally with this type of issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now