Drive shaft bolt tightening

[Robmsharp]

Can anyone recommend how best to tighten the four bolts securing the drive shafts coming from the differential?
I have a 1/2 drive torque wrench with the correct size socket but there is not enough space to get the socket & wrench onto either the nut or bolt. Can anyone recommend what type of socket will go on and allow me to check the torque (which accordiing to the ROM is 120ft/lb)?

Thanks

[marshman]

You need a "propshaft socket" and extra long and slim 1/2" drive socket designed to fit the nuts on UJ's of drive shafts and prop shafts.

Like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-6151-Propshaft-Socket/dp/B00VLN35WK/ref=asc_df_B00VLN35WK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697276023079&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3048664922578968480&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9073540&hvtargid=pla-487380294440&psc=1&mcid=c5e8af75fad13726a88605319dcc3e72&th=1&psc=1&gad_source=1

Pretty sure 9/16" is the size but double check before ordering.

Also... if using new bolts check that the threaded section is long enough for the nut to fully tighten, I have had so called "propshaft" bolts supplied where the threaded section is not long enough and the nut tightens at the end fo the thread and doesn't clamp the flanges together, only a few thou in it and not immediately obvious! Easily remedied but running a die down the bolt but a pain non the less.

[jbuckl]

You need a "propshaft socket" and extra long and slim 1/2" drive socket designed to fit the nuts on UJ's of drive shafts and prop shafts.

Like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-6151-Propshaft-Socket/dp/B00VLN35WK/ref=asc_df_B00VLN35WK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697276023079&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3048664922578968480&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9073540&hvtargid=pla-487380294440&psc=1&mcid=c5e8af75fad13726a88605319dcc3e72&th=1&psc=1&gad_source=1

Pretty sure 9/16" is the size but double check before ordering.

Also... if using new bolts check that the threaded section is long enough for the nut to fully tighten, I have had so called "propshaft" bolts supplied where the threaded section is not long enough and the nut tightens at the end fo the thread and doesn't clamp the flanges together, only a few thou in it and not immediately obvious! Easily remedied but running a die down the bolt but a pain non the less.

It’s true…. Some specialist suppliers send the wrong length bolt.

I was able to get the correct length from Land Rover.

[marshman]

It’s true…. Some specialist suppliers send the wrong length bolt.

I was able to get the correct length from Land Rover.

In my case the bolt length was correct, it's the length of the threaded portion that was not, needed about 1/8" more thread or put another way 1/8" less plain shank to be "safe"

[DJT]

I have always used 9/16" AF ring spanners with new nyloc nuts. Get them as tight as you can and you won't be far off the correct torque. Never had one come loose in 120,000 miles.

[nigele]

The correct torque is 26-34 lbft, 120 lbft is for the outer axle to drive flange. As above I have never had a problem using 2 ring spanners as tight as I can get them.

Nigel

[wilf]

Me too, on the Stag and many other cars.

[flying farmer]

Two 9/16 ring spanners does it perfectly, not long enough to over tighten the bolts

[marshman]

Yep 2 decent 9/16" ring spanners will do it - (some of the cheaper ring spanners are to "chunky" at the end to fit), but with nyloc nuts it's quite time consuming, the "propshaft" socket means you can use a ratchet and do it in a fraction of the time - especially if you have 16 to do as in a pair of driveshafts. Just fitted a new pair of rear driveshafts to my Warwick GT, took 15 mins start to finish, and if you get it right you can do all the nuts and bolts without having to rotate the shaft for each one. Got mine years ago, but then I do work on more than one car.

[jbuckl]

Two 9/16 ring spanners does it perfectly, not long enough to over tighten the bolts

My skinniest ring spanner ( elora or slimline) won’t fit on a bolt head in this location afaicr.

[sujitroy]

what I found works is if you straighten out the half shaft, then you can get two regular spanners in there. I too have never been able to get a torque wrench on them. but used new nylocks

[Robmsharp]

Thanks for all your replies and the correction on the torque figure!
9/16 spanners it is then.

[mole42]

Just a quick note - I was changing the gearbox today and noticed that, after 2000+ miles, the propshaft bolts are still tight. Very tight. I always use two average length 9/16" ring spanners.