66 Diff Support Bracket Front Bolt Removal?

[Mike S.]

Any suggestions for removing the front (vertical) bolt that connects the differential front support bracket to the frame? Due to the space constraints presented by the drive shaft and body, I have been unable to secure the bolt head with a wrench or socket. Turning the nut on the underside simply causes the entire bolt to turn.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 Diff Support Bracket Front Bolt Removal?

Mike - while tight, you should be able to get a box end wrench in there to hold this nut. I have done it several times...it is tight but possible....Craig

[Stephen P.]

Re: 66 Diff Support Bracket Front Bolt Removal?

I just replaced the two front differential bushings at this location a couple of days ago. It was my first time trying it, but I was able to get a box end wrench on the bolt head and remove the nut. It is difficult to get the wrench to engage the bolt head on top. I found that rotating the bottom nut which was rusted onto the bolt let me maneuver the nut to the correct orientation for the wrench to engage the bolt head, then turning the nut with a ratchet. The drive shaft appears to prevent removal of the bolt after removing the nut, but you can displace the top bushing and rotate the bolt and remove it. I had purchased the bushings without a new bolt, which was a mistake. The bolt was rusted so bad, it couldn't be re-used. I was able to find a 7/16 replacement bolt locally.

[Gary B.]

Grade 8 Diff Support Bracket Front Bolt

Steve,

I believe the original, vertical diff support bolt was a grade 8. Were you able to find a grade 8 bolt in clear zinc and not the goldish hue that all grade 8 bolts seem to come in these days?

Gary

[Stephen P.]

Re: Grade 8 Diff Support Bracket Front Bolt

The bolt that I used was a grade 8 bolt, but it was in the goldish hue. My car is a driver, so the bolt hue wasn't an issue. Sorry I couldn't help.