side shaft on auto transmission

[WhoaMan]

Last night while driving to pick up a friend from work, I stopped at a stop sign, waited, and then proceeded to go. after about 10-15 feet heard a snap and pulled over to the side of the road. It seems that all 6 studs and nuts that connect the half-shaft to the side shaft are gone. What i have been trying to find out (I have not been able to find the answer on here or in the haynes manuals i have), can i use the side shaft from an 87 camry with a 5 speed in place of an 88 with an auto? they are both japan trannys with the bolt on style half shafts. Also, I dont have my camry at home at the moment (its still on the side of the road), but from what i remember the studs almost look like wheel studs... (though i dont remember the sizes)... could i get away with replacing them without replacing the whole side shaft?

[Doctor J]

In theory the center shafts suppose to be the same for flange bolted axles [I used tripod from 91 m/t on my 87 a/t]
The studs are 8mm diameter each and have thread M8X1.25, OEM nuts are 12 mm hex the aftermarket are 13 mm hex.
You need to investigate the cause of this problem before proceeding [I don't think it is a wheel bearing as the car would simply not move at this case]

[WhoaMan]

thanks for the replay, Doctor J, I just got done cleaning out my garage to get the beast in and get a better look (its been snowing outside). I need to look thru my isuzu impulse's trunk area to find the socket to take off the half shafts and get a better look. i hope the splines are all ok. hopefully everything will be in decent condition and i can go to where my 87 parts camry is and steal the side shafts off it

anyways, thanks again

[WhoaMan]

I got the half shaft pulled off today, one of the bolt holes on the half shaft had broken thru so i used the warranty (half shafts were replaced in March) to get a new one. I was unable to find the studs so i ended up using hex bolts and nuts (that was rather interesting to do :|). everything is holding up fine, tomorrow i am going to get some tranny fluid and drive it around for a bit.

[Doctor J]

You should use bolts with number 10.9 stamped on the head [equal to grade 8].