Broken U-Joint Strap Bolt Question

[SASKCHEYENNE75]

Just looking for answers/opinions.

1974 Chev C20 with 14 bolt FF Rear Differential.

Removed driveshaft and in the process of removing the u-joint strap bolts I snapped one of them off. I tried extracting it in place but didnt work. I removed the pinion flange as I was going to change the seal anyhow. I drilled out the broken bolt but damaged the threads in the process.

So now my question is should I tap all 4 bolt holes and use a bigger bolt or can I use the u-bolt style straps that Ive seen? Can the u-bolt style be used one factory style pinion flange?

 

[Keith Seymore]

You could put a heli-coil in it.

K

 

[squaredeal91]

Id either helicoil it or you could get a longer bolt and use a nut on the back. However Helicoil or something of that nature will be the best solution so you can use all the same correct hardware. The autoparts store can get new strap bolts with the straps in a kit.

 

[SASKCHEYENNE75]

You could put a heli-coil in it.

K

Thank you

 

[SASKCHEYENNE75]

Id either helicoil it or you could get a longer bolt and use a nut on the back. However Helicoil or something of that nature will be the best solution so you can use all the same correct hardware. The autoparts store can get new strap bolts with the straps in a kit.

Thank you

 

[edgephoto]

If there is a groove where the seal rides just replace the pinion yoke. I got one from O'Reily's for my V3500. Was about $75 and looked identical. Fit perfect, came with a seal.

This being said I would use a Heli-coil on the messed up threads. The u-joint sits in the yoke and the strap just holds it in place. The torque is transferred to the actual yoke. You may find a Heli-coil kit is not much cheaper than the replacement yoke.

 

[ali_c20]

You can drill the holes and machine/grind the back of the flange where the holes are flat and use U bolts instead of the straps. The pinion is already out so it's a good time to upgrade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4r_mDnQzHA

 

[SASKCHEYENNE75]

You can drill the holes and machine/grind the back of the flange where the holes are flat and use U bolts instead of the straps. The pinion is already out so it's a good time to upgrade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4r_mDnQzHA

This is what I think I'm going to do. It just makes sense from a strength perspective, as well as, a cost perspective.

 

[WFO]

Depending on how buggered up the treads are, I might would tap for the next size larger metric bolt.