Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:50:03 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Loosening Axle (rear)
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re
"I have an idea to attempt to use the
> weight of the van to help me get this one loose. "
if you are going to use sketchy methods like this..
why not just use starter torque ?
'drive' the nut off, cranking the ( ignition disabled ) engine in a low gear
, with 3/4 inch ( 1/2 inch just will not cut it, btdt ) Breaker Bar.
I'm not saying 'actually do it' ..
but that is what I likely would do if I was attempting any 'emergency'
loosening of that big nut.
I have gotten super tight crankshaft bolts undone with a breaker bar resting
against a frame member or something solid ....and used the starter motor to
turn the engine to undo the bolt.
anything like that can be very dangerous of course.
the weigh lowering idea will have very little affect.
a warning also ..
if everything goes right ..the nut is on tightern' hell, and you get it
undone by standing on the end of your 3 foot cheater bar on a solid 3/4 inch
breaker bar.
next up ...if it's just 'too dang tight' ..
like obviously way overtorqued..
is heat the big nut with a oxy-acetylene torch.
I have had to do that on about 2 out of 10 axle nut removals.
however..
I recently had one .....the nut unscrewed all right..
with huge force...and it just galled the threads on the stub axle to junk as
I had to turn it with huge force the whole way.
The repair on that one was ....
a good used stub axle, a flange that didn't jam on the stub axle splines,
and a new big nut.
Be careful.
In particular , using the movement of the entire vehicle to loosen something
is inherently risky and dangerous.
Far better the van be solid. and
you have a really good way to keep the flange from turning,
and BIG tools to undo the nut with.
and van on a solid smooth surface very well supported with truck size
jackstands - not car ones.
and *never ever* use roll up ramps, they can kill ya.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Felder" <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 7:27 AM
Subject: Re: Loosening Axle (rear)
Don, I'd get something bigger than half inch. I have twisted them off doing
stuff like this. Three-quarter with a big cheater pipe would be better.
As for your methodology, keep well away and let is know!
Jim
On Jul 19, 2011, at 9:01 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I need to change in some new rear wheel bearings on my 84 Van, manual 5sp
> tranny. I know the axle nut is really a pain to get off, having recently
> fought with a bug rear axle nut... I have an idea to attempt to use the
> weight of the van to help me get this one loose. I do not have an impact
> wrench nor a handy mechanic shop. I do have a very stout long 1/2" drive
> breaker bar and the proper socket. My brilliant idea is to lift the van's
> corner, put the socket onto the axle nut with a long extension on a stump
> or
> something and then letthe van lower away to break the nut loose... I've
> had
> some PB Blaster on the nut for a few days now. Second question: The
> threads are normal, right? Lefty-loosey? Standard threading?
>
> Think this will work? I plan on standing back as I lower in case the
> tools should break...
>
> Don Hanson
