I have a 1995 F-150, 4.9L, regular cab, 2wd. I need to replace u joints but the drive shaft is held on by some wierd type of bolt and I can't figure out what socket to use. It seems a 13mm, 12 point socket is the best fit...but not perfect. The head on the bolt has many points like a star head or something. Is this stock or did the owner before me just throw in some funky bolts he had laying around? Thanks for any help and I can post pics if needed.

 

No that is stock...... It takes a 12mm 12 point socket..

 

Well, somebody replaced mine with a 13mm head bolt; tried a twelve but will not fit. I'll go ahead with the 13mm after some PB oil and see what happens. It is just a weird looking bolt head...

 

Not 12 point socket like you're thinking of. Its a socket that matches that bolt head exactly, and is called a 12 point, and it is indeed a 12mm. Go to a good parts store and ask for one. If they grab a normal 12 point go to a different parts store. The bolt you're talking about is stock. It is not 13mm. It is 12mm.
Like this: http://www.sears.com/grey-pneumatic-...3&blockType=G3
Not that you need a swivel impact socket. I have a 3/8 drive, non-swivel, non-impact, shallow well socket for the drive shaft bolts.

 

Just use a open end 12 pt 12mm wrench. It's a tight fit, clean rust, mud, ect off.

 

Post is dead, move on.

answered to death it has

 

Thanks for the replies. I get to buy another tool!!!

 

Can you elaborate on this? What would be abnormal about a 12 point socket?

I used standard combination wrenches on the companion flange bolts on my dad's truck when we replaced u-joints. I didn't have to buy any special tools.

A 1/2" would be between a 12mm and 13mm in size, so if you can't get a 12mm to fit and the 13mm is too loose, you can try a 1/2 (12.7mm).

 

Clean it first (wire brush, etc.). I've found that if a socket doesn't quite fit, sometimes it's because the head of the bolt (or the nut) is slightly deformed. Tap the socket on with a hammer.

Jason

 

There is nothing special about Ford drive shaft bolts that makes them any different then any other 12 point bolt. Normal 12 point sockets and wrenches fit perfectly.

 

Oh I stand corrected. I have a funny looking socket for those bolts. Guess I should have tried what I had already before buying something I didn't need.

 

There may be special tools with thinner walls or some other change that make the job easier, but normal 12 points work just fine.