Square Headed Bolt on Steering Box

[Foster48x]

What do you guys/gals normally use to remove the square headed bolt on the steering box?

Thanks,
Rick

[So Cal Mark]

I use a socket designed for square headed bolts

[kmead]

I use a socket designed for square headed bolts

An English one as only the Brits would think of using a four sided fastener on anything...


Seriously though, a crowsfoot wrench or an open end will work as well. Don't round it off. You might choose to PB/WD it before trying to get it out.

[mbouse]

that 8 point socket, i believe is a 5/16", and can be ordered from most parts stores that stock lifetime guaruntee hand tools.

like Karl said, use plenty of PB Blaster or other lubricant before attempting to twist this plug loose.

[Foster48x]

Thanks guys.
Mike, the 8 point socket is exactly what I was looking for. I knew there had to be a special socket for it I just didnt know what it was called.

I may try one of these if I cant find a inexpensive 8 point. Anyone used one before?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... rip+socket

Rick

[mbouse]

i am a firm advocate of using the right tool for the job; which includes NOT using crescent wrenches and adjustable sockets. the right tool generally does not mar the surface of the work, and generally does not slip, pull-away, or slide off the work surface. besides, if i dunn have the right tool for the job....what better excuse do i have to go GET the right tool for the job from the store?

i just bought one of these sockets for a buddy, in 1/4" drive. I think, even with the next-day special order, i paid under $9.00 for a lifetime guaruntee, american made socket.

for this small of a surface to properly grab onto, and as tight as it most likely will be inside the housing, i am betting you will round the corners off of the plug long before you will loosen it using one of those "one size fits all" sockets.

once you round off the corners on your plug, you'll be wishing you spent the $9 for the right tool.

[lordxenu]

i am a firm advocate of using the right tool for the job; which includes NOT using crescent wrenches and adjustable sockets. the right tool generally does not mar the surface of the work, and generally does not slip, pull-away, or slide off the work surface. besides, if i dunn have the right tool for the job....what better excuse do i have to go GET the right tool for the job from the store?

i just bought one of these sockets for a buddy, in 1/4" drive. I think, even with the next-day special order, i paid under $9.00 for a lifetime guaruntee, american made socket.

for this small of a surface to properly grab onto, and as tight as it most likely will be inside the housing, i am betting you will round the corners off of the plug long before you will loosen it using one of those "one size fits all" sockets.

once you round off the corners on your plug, you'll be wishing you spent the $9 for the right tool.

Pssh, Everybody knows that vice grips can do anything.

At least that's what my dad tends to do

[ventura ace]

Another vote for the 8-point 5/16" socket. For one, there's hardly any room to get in there, even when the engine is pulled, so having a proper socket with a long enough extension is the way to go.

When we were wrenching with Steve Eubanks several months ago, we tried about every tool we could collectively come up with, from those of us that carried tools down to Steve's place, to try to loosen that square nut. The square nut was more accessible than normal, since the engine was out, but we couldn't get a hold of it with anything strong enough to budge it -- it was in there tight. I even had one of those crazy sockets shown in Rick's link, and it was a no go. So, we left at the end of the day without removing it. When I got home, I rummaged through some old assorted sockets and found a few 8 points, and decided to give them a try. The 5/16" is a perfect fit. I took it to the next wrenching session at Steve's, and we had that square nut out lickety-split! Even with the engine in the way!

Note: There is another square plug on the tail end of the transmission case for draining the 5th gear/reverse section. It is smaller than the one on the steering gear, and it seems like I recall breaking it loose with a 12 point socket that just happened to fit it tightly -- can't remember if it was a metric or english, but one of the smaller 12 points will fit it tightly. And, I'm betting that a smaller 8 point would be a good one for that square plug also.

Alvon

[kristoj]

I have an 8 mm crow's foot wrench that fits perfectly.

[manoa matt]

Like everyone else has already stated. The main problem is the plug is usually in there so tight. When you try to remove it while applying pressure you realize either the wrench will spread/break, or the plug will shear off....and then you stop and ask the forum.

If it's not in there too tight an open end wrench will work well, but usually the small wrench can't apply enough torque to break it free if its stuck in there tight.

I think I ended up taking the whole cap plate off. You have to unscrew it off of the adjusting shaft. Once the cap was off I could safely remove the small plug.

[Foster48x]

Appreciate all the input. I'll be off to the store to get a 8-point 5/16" socket tomorrow.

Rick