----- Original Message -----
From: David Chapman
To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 2:12 PM
Subject: Re: [amphicar-lovers] Propellor Shaft U-joint Bolts


> The book says it's an Allen-head, but it looks like a 12-point Bristol
spline key needed. Anyone know just what the head is on this bolt (before I
resort to the universal vise-grips)?

It's not Torx, it's an 8mm "star" head and you need a thin shaft version of
the tool at least 40mm long to clear the UJ yoke, there is a ball head
version that is supposed to work at an angle but it doesn't have enough
internal contact and damages the bolt. Buy the best quality tool you can
find for this application, I had a "snap-on" version but have lost it so if
anyone finds something of quality that fits well and is available mail order
then let us know - at the moment I use the wrench that was supplied with the
original Amphicar toolkit !

You can replace the bolts with dome head Allen but not normal hex head as
they foul the yoke, the other place where the star bolt was used was to hold
the brake backplate on the rear hub (but only on early cars) if the ones
holding the prop shaft are chewed up then use the ones on the hub and use
ordinary M8 hex bolts to hold the backplate on.

David C


This is a follow-up on the subject of the propeller shaft / water transmission
U-joint bolts.

The name for this driver is "Serrated". It is definitely not a Torx (which has a
smooth radial wave pattern), definitely not a 12-point hex, and it's definitely
not a Bristol spline. NAPA stocks an 8 millimeter Serrated Wrench, part # 2304,
for about $9. The wrench is 75 millimeters (2 3/4") long, with a 5/16" hex
shank. This driver will fit into a standard 5/16" socket or box wrench.

This fits the U-joint bolts perfectly, although working space is tight (so
what's new about that) due to the U-joint yokes. They asked me if this was for
the "brake plate in my old German car". Somebody must have thought this drive
system was a good idea for something.

Ed
El Cajon
67 Rust Guppy


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




        
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
GORDON IMPORTS INC.. The world's largest source of Amphicar parts and accessories. Visit our new website today.