Does anyone know what bolts are on the front and rear pinion flanges. I'm guessing they're 1/2" - 13 tpi, but they could be metric. You never know, since this is connected to the Dana (English system).

 

they are metric yes...I had just purchased a couple extras at the local Home Depot the other day and can't remember their exact size HOWEVER, when it comes to replacing the ones I destroyed I will be getting 'em through the dealer as I can't find ones with the proper head or length

 

Mopar Part No. 68003249AA...but thats for all 8 bolts and the four 'straps' they call them.
If I remember correctly now they are a M8 1.25x25 mm Bolt, it is an 8mm bolt
Good Luck

 

Yeah, they are $3.15 per 2pk with a strap, for the front anyway. That's from the dealer

 

Oh good to know they're cheap unlike just about every other part you purchase through the dealer. While trying to crush my crush sleeve during re-gearing I had constructed a tool that used the pinion flange bolts to hold the tool on to prevent it from spinning while using a large breaker bar to crush the sleeve...needless to say sleeve never crushed, bolts snapped like twigs, I don't suggest this method for anyone, using the stock bolts with a piece of angle iron is fine for holding the yoke to remove the pinion nut, just not to reinstall to proper torque

 

BlackNorthern, you're da man. Thanks for the info. The rear pinion flange is completely different than the front. Now I see why you're snapping those bolts, they're fairly small.

How about the fronts, have you begun on those? Do you have any idea what size they are. I'm planning to do my gears next month and plan on making a pinion flange holder. I was hoping the front and rear were the same but they're not, gotta make two giant custom flange holders.

Oh . . . and thanks for the writeups in the "It begins...." thread. I've been learning alot there.

 

Honestly RC, if I have to give you any advice on holding the flange, I would say stear clear of trying to hold it with bolts through the yoke...no bolts are strong enough to hold the yoke while torquing that evil crush sleeve...I ordered a pinion flange wrench off of Ebay....just waiting for it to come in.
The problem is that the bolt holes are recessed in the flange so there is no way to get the bolts to bolt a flat piece of steel or iron onto the flange adequately, hence is nowhere near strong enough with even the 1/4" of exposed bolt...they snap like twigs
The proper tool essentially has two stubs that slip through the two NON threaded holes in the pinion yoke flange, these two stubs are strong enough from what I can gather to take the torque.(i haven't used it yet however it is the shop manual recommended tool)
If your going to construct one, I highly reccomend you get some very sturdy iron or steel, something that cannot bend under massive load, then weld on a couple studs that will slip through those two holes...bolts just aint strong enough, keep in mind you also have to get the socket on the end of the nut so it needs to fit around leaving an opening....
I understand that some have used Big Ass Pipe wrenches, but I honestly cannot see how they aren't destroying their pinion flanges with this method...there just simply isn't another suitable method to hold that thing steady while applying enough torque to crush a crush sleeve....
if you had a 400ft/lb impact gun maybe, but that method is REALLY not reccomended.
JKkat had a pic of the proper tool...I'm just having a hard time finding it here again

 

C-3281 Flange Wrench

 

Ahhhh, yes I see. Thanks for the pic. Now I finally get why it's hard to hold that flange. I feel your pain. . .I'da been turnin the air blue with choice words for the engineer who designed that flange . . . and I'm an engineer


I am stone-headed (and goin broke buyin tools and parts for the regear) so I'll prolly try to make a tool outa stuff in the garage. I do have a little mill and lathe so that'll make things much easier to fab. I'll snap a pic of what I come up with soon.

 

good stuff...I will take pics and dimensions of this tool when it arrives