The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Here's a stupid one...

Anybody ever get their socket wrench stuck on a transmission-to-bell-housing bolt against the clutch plate?

I somehow got it on the head of the bolt, and now I can't get it off!

I'm about to try to break it off.

I'm sure everyone's done that at least once. You'll prolly have to tighten the bolt back up in order to get the socket off, then use an open-end or box wrench to get the bolt out.

Good luck.

Problem is, it's tightened all the way, and I still can't get it off!

Then remove the bolt, knock the socket off the bolt head & either use a different socket or wrench to retighten it. Oh and if you use a socket use a 6 point socket instead of a 12 point...Joe

I think he's saying there's not enough room to get the bolt out with the socket stuck on there.

Can you tap an old screwdriver under the socket and pry it off?

Lifetime Warranty tool??

Hacksaw??

would rotating the engine give you more room?

Sometimes you can remove the wrench followed by the socket.

Loosen the other transmission bolts a little and then it may give you a little play to be able to remove it.

Thanks for the ideas, everybody.
Yes, the socket is stuck on the bolt because there isn't enough clearance to get the wrench off. The bolt is tightened all the way, and the clutch is in the way. The tranny was all the way off, and I couldn't get it off. I've tried rotating the engine, and got pretty close, but no dice.

I think I'll either just have to try to get the bell housing off, or break the socket. If I break the socket, I get another for free from Sears. If I remove the bell housing, I have to go buy another ratchet and socket to do it, because mine are stuck on the derned bolt!

You aren't going to pull the bellhousing with the flywheel in it.

A gas axe will sort that problem out. Of course you will need to buy a new socket, ratchet, nut, and you might burn your truck down. But it won't take long!!
Hahahah. You will be busy with the newborn. Your socket might be on the truck for 18 years!. You'll get it sorted out. Often a little break helps to put a new angle on the problem.

D'oh!

D'oh!

D'oh!

If you can get a screwdriver or chisel in there you might be able to work the socket off. That might work if you have enough room it there.

The solution is obvious- - - - -unbolt the pressure plate from the flywheel and move it sideways enough to clear the socket. It won't come off all the way, but it will certainly slip far enough to the side to give the socket enough clerarance to be removed from the bolt head. Next time, use a box end wrench, not a socket. That's how we did it when the trucks were new, and it worked just fine!
Jerry

Aha! In 18 years, I'll try just that!
Thanks, Jerry.
-tyler