Ok, so I have this abs hubbed 89 axle with stock style flanges. The flange bolts aren't just walking out, they are STRIPPING. (and not for greenbacks merv)

Anyone tap and fit larger on the hub? or am I sticking some more hubs on?


PS- how come I can't bust an axle to save my life, but this stuff happens?

j

I know Keith at Rovertracks taps them out to 5/16 (I think) and just drills the flanges. I was going to do this as I have the same problem as you, but time may be my enemy! I think it would be easy enough with a drill press.

I've removed many broken flange bolts, but NEVER seen one strip. I can't even think of what stresses would cause them to strip and the stresses would be in a direction that would be perpendicular to the bolt, not in a direction to pull the bolt away from the axle. OK, maybe I just thought of some things that- I wonder if you don't have something bent causing them to be pulled away from the axle...

Bent axle shaft, bent housing, stub axle, cocked bearing...

Is it only one or two that's pulling out, or is it all five?

I know Keith at Rovertracks taps them out to 5/16 (I think) and just drills the flanges. I was going to do this as I have the same problem as you, but time may be my enemy! I think it would be easy enough with a drill press.

Actually Keith retaps to 7/16 fine thread. Works quite well. It is common for these threads to strip when the bolts are jammed in with an impact. When the threads have corrosion in them. Threads should be cleaned with a suitable style tap when corrosion is noted before reassembly. That could have saved your hub. But retapping to 7/16 will save your situation.

JP

john are you keeping the rangie?

Actually Keith retaps to 7/16 fine thread. Works quite well. It is common for these threads to strip when the bolts are jammed in with an impact. When the threads have corrosion in them. Threads should be cleaned with a suitable style tap when corrosion is noted before reassembly. That could have saved your hub. But retapping to 7/16 will save your situation.

JP

After posting I realized that 5/16 was just a little too small. Nice catch! I really need to do this to the front of my truck. I am afraid that the bigger tires, lower gears will cause some serious hub bolt damage if it's not fixed.

I think I am just going to do this on the vehicle. Obviously I will do the axles in a vice, but I think I will just twist away with the hub on. Give PT something to complain about.

I think I am just going to do this on the vehicle. Obviously I will do the axles in a vice, but I think I will just twist away with the hub on. Give PT something to complain about.

Well, I'd bolt as many bolts in place as I could, remove one, drill/tap, insert new bolt, move on to the next. Why bother doing any of them in a vise?

I had a plan to make ten-bolt flanges, until I got the quotation If I can get a broach made, it might happen, but I'm not holding my breath.

You should only need to reinforce the lower ones. After all they're the ones under extra tension from the weight on the wheels.

Unless I'm on the wrong track. Are we talking about the axle flange which the swivel bolts to?

Unless I'm on the wrong track. Are we talking about the axle flange which the swivel bolts to?

Talking about the drive flange bolts on the outside of the drive member.

Talking about the drive flange bolts on the outside of the drive member.

Oh, gotcha.