Stuck Axle Nut Help, Possible to Snap Stud off CV Axle??

[dnschmidt]

Yep, score/cut the nut most of the way through. You can get a cold chisel in the score and start hitting it in the direction to unthread. This should either loosen it up of if really stuck wail on it and the nut will break off.

I hinted at this earlier and someone poo pooed on the idea. The key is don't get anywhere close to the axle threads, just carefully cut the nut 3/4 or so through.

Cold chisel, BLAH! use BIG NASTY!!!

 

[rust in the eye]

This ought to make you feel better. If this came off without cutting or heat yours will too.

 

[bwringer]

If you take a look at a few impact gun tests on the Torque Test Channel on YouTube, you'll see that you need to let 'er rattle for a while. You don't develop full power with a few demure little tissyprissle bursts. Give 'er hell.

And no, you're not going to break the axle. If the engine can't break it, your impact driver sure won't.

 

[engineer2]

My Makita XWT08 takes them off with no problem. Start with the mid speed so you don't break an impact socket.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

This ought to make you feel better. If this came off without cutting or heat yours will too.

That's basically reusable.


Made a lot of money putting control arms in those cars.

 

[Shoreline_]

I don't think there has ever been an axle nut i wasnt able to remove. And I've taken off thousands. Just ******* send it. Make sure that stake is out of the groove!

 

[lbhsbz]

Did you really ask if using a more powerful impact would increase your chances of removing the nut?

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Yea I'll try getting some proper staked axle nut unstake and stake tools, and try a fully charge battery. Thanks for the tips.

Trying to document my findings on 36 mm impact sockets

Home Depot - Don't sell an impact socket that large
Lowes - Don't sell an impact socket that large, but they did have a kobalt chrome socket at 36 mm that was 12 point
Ace - They don't sell any impact sockets
O Riley - They sell the Powerbuilt brand for impact sockets that large in 6 point. They also carry OEM sockets in 12 point of this size.
Advacned Auto - They carry the same power built and OEM sockets that O Riley does
Auto Zone - They have Duralast brand sockets, 36 mm impact, 6 point. It had a mucher tighter tolerance than the powerbuilt sockets. I was able to put the new nut in and wasn't able to twist it much. Power Built I could twist it a lot
Harbor Freight - I checked just for laughs and giggles. They do not sell indivdiual sockets this large. But they have them in a set that I couldn't open to test out the tolerances
Tractor Supply - only carried SAE sockets and only small impact sockets
Napa - performance tool, they carry the socket in 6 point impact

 

[PCustoms]

It's been almost a week and you haven't had a chance to try a charged battery?

 

[mreisner]

Yea I'll try getting some proper staked axle nut unstake and stake tools, and try a fully charge battery. Thanks for the tips.

Trying to document my findings on 36 mm impact sockets

Home Depot - Don't sell an impact socket that large
Lowes - Don't sell an impact socket that large, but they did have a kobalt chrome socket at 36 mm that was 12 point
Ace - They don't sell any impact sockets
O Riley - They sell the Powerbuilt brand for impact sockets that large in 6 point. They also carry OEM sockets in 12 point of this size.
Advacned Auto - They carry the same power built and OEM sockets that O Riley does
Auto Zone - They have Duralast brand sockets, 36 mm impact, 6 point. It had a mucher tighter tolerance than the powerbuilt sockets. I was able to put the new nut in and wasn't able to twist it much. Power Built I could twist it a lot
Harbor Freight - I checked just for laughs and giggles. They do not sell indivdiual sockets this large. But they have them in a set that I couldn't open to test out the tolerances

Napa should have them individually and they are pretty good sockets.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

That nut doesn't look rusted. I'd check marketplace for a used 3/4" Breaker bar and 1 7/16 socket and use that, it'll be a lot easier than trying an impact. You also need to consider that most axle nuts are torque then angle for install - and you'll need a solid tool to get it back on. Another member mentioned using a fence post, I do the same thing - galvanized post from a chain link fence. It was like $10 at home depot. Cut a few to length and use them as cheaters.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Put the wheel on with the center cap removed, four tires on the ground, parking brake on. Use a breaker bar, maybe you need a pipe extension.

That.
Get off the impact and put in leverage work. Incorporate heat and penetrating oil.

I put a 3/4" breaker bar w pipe extension on my 06 ram 2500 changing hub assemblies. Keep muscling it. I imagine the impact helps too. Just throw it all at it.

 

[PMD1966]

This right here. 640 is not enough, you need more beans!!!

Maybe a torque multiplier would work.

 

[dogdog]

What this guy says.
Also, once you have open the stake up a bit, try impact it tighten before loosen it. Works on a lot of stuck nuts. Although I have to use a cheater pipe with the HF breaker bar on the vw.


vvvvvvv

Probably need to open the stake a little more. A cape chisel that's close to the same width as the keyway works good if you can find one at the hardware store.

Otherwise turn the impact up to Max and hold it down until it comes off. If you are reusing the axle get a cheap 24mm fine thread die to clean up the threads and replace the nut.

 

[john.k]

I suspect the impact drive is pitiful,possibly too much lost motion .............I used to have a 1'' drive CP ,old style with spade handle ,it would simply spin off nuts that 6ft long bars wouldnt move

 

[FigN⋅m]

Your socket's fine.
Put a jackstand under one of the wheel studs, slide your floor jack's handle over a breaker bar and lean on that suckab*tch!

 

[atikovi]

I'm using a Milwaukee M18 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring (2663-20) which has a nut busting torque of 640 ft lbs

That is just a toy for a 36 mm socket. No 1/2" drive impact should be expected to remove a 36 mm nut. I would have grabbed my ancient IR 1" drive impact wrench along with a 1" drive 36 mm socket. Would have zipped it off in 2 seconds without having to unstake it. I even have 1" drive sockets down to 21 mm for some really stubborn lug nuts.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Harbor Freight - I checked just for laughs and giggles. They do not sell indivdiual sockets this large. But they have them in a set that I couldn't open to test out the tolerances

I wanted a cheap (ish) small 3/8 ratchet for something so I stopped in at harbor freight. I saw three that were the right size. One was a Pittsburgh in a set of three that did not have quick release. Juan was a Pittsburgh as a single for $10 that you could play with and test in its packaging and it actually felt pretty good. The head was huge. I happen to have a Tekton with me and it was easily half the size for the head. The last one was an icon and it was completely packaged up. I couldn't see it. I do know it was not quick release which is kind of what I wanted but wouldn't have been a deal-breaker. Someone who was stocking the shelves said oh just take it up to the front. They'll open it up for you and you can take a look at it. But when I took it up front they said no. Can't do that cuz then we can't resell it. So if I really wanted to see it I had to buy it and then I would have 30 days too return it. Which means I could have bought it taking it outside, open it up, played with it, and then just simply returned it.

So I simply bought the $10 Pittsburgh. It was not worth the hassle for what I wanted to do with it. If I had been in less of a hurry I would have just ordered a couple of the Tekton ratchets since I know I like them. But I needed a couple and I needed them now, and I knew they wouldn't see much use.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Thanks, how do I remove the center cap on Acura rims, that come with their cars?

Rims!
That explains the whole ordeal

 

[FigN⋅m]

That is just a toy for a 36 mm socket. No 1/2" drive impact should be expected to remove a 36 mm nut. I would have grabbed my ancient IR 1" drive impact wrench along with a 1" drive 36 mm socket. Would have zipped it off in 2 seconds without having to unstake it. I even have 1" drive sockets down to 21 mm for some really stubborn lug nuts.

What are those nuts being torqued to?! My DeWalt mid-torque pops my Toyota 4x4 36mm axle nuts all day,
but they are rust-free and always torqued to the proper 174 lb. ft. Probably just spoiled I guess...

 

[93Ramcharger]

I've taken a thousand or more cv axle nuts off with a 1/2 inch air impact, however always used one made by ingersoll, they are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. Last one I got off the Cornwell truck was five hundred dollars. Their newest version is the same money but now has interchangeable anvils and 1600 ft lbs break away torque. They are the cats whiskers. Air impacts spin much faster and hit far different than cordless impacts.

 

[93Ramcharger]

Those air impacts at harbor freight are a waste of money they simply do not have the smoke an ingersoll impact has, I work with guys that buy those cheaper ones and they're always borrowing mine to take something apart.

 

[inline five]

I'm using Performance Tool Axle Nut W154 36 mm CR-MO.
Sadly it looks like the tolerance is 1 mm, I get about 37 mm in some spots from edge to edge.

I just measured my USA SK 36mm, it's around 36.2mm for comparison. But I doubt that is the issue. You just need more power, that Ryobi electric impact really doesn't have the nuts that the nicer impacts even at Harbor Freight.

Something like this

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-composite-air-impact-wrench-twin-hammer-1200-ft-lbs-red-58681.html

will take it off running 120 psi without issue.

 

[Wrench97]

Front axle nut on a TSX gets torqued to 242ftlb.
What are you planing on tightening with when you put it back together?

 

[L.Cheapo]

When I was a broke college student I ran into the same problem, also on a 36mm axle nut. Friend and I broke his 1/2" Snap on breaker bar trying to get it off. I lived in an apartment at the time and didn't have air tools.

So I took my socket and my torque wrench and drove to the local indy shop half a mile away. Explained my dilemma to the mechanic there and he had me pull it around. He zipped it off in about 3 seconds with his giant impact gun. Asked him what I owed him, he pointed to the vending machine and said "A Mountain Dew." I retorqed it to the proper spec and drove it home to work on it.

Best dollar I ever spent.

If the socket fits through the hole in your wheel, you might have luck finding someone to help you out the same way if it only takes them a minute to do it.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'm using a Milwaukee M18 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring (2663-20) which has a nut busting torque of 640 ft lbs (according to Milwaukee, how accurate is that I don't know). https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/2663-20

I'm also using an XC 3.0 M18 battery.

Need a #5, 6 or 8 battery at least. And that gun is way over advertised. I had one, couldn't even remove lug nuts.
The 2967 is the one to get.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Need a #5, 6 or 8 battery at least. And that gun is way over advertised. I had one, couldn't even remove lug nuts.
The 2967 is the one to get.

So this one ..

M18 FUEL™ 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring | Milwaukee Tool

The MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ ½” High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring is the most power-dense impact wrench in its class.

www.milwaukeetool.com

Milwaukee 2967-20 M18 FUEL 18V 1/2 in High Torque Impact Wrench

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLF1DHHW?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[engineer2]

Or this:

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XWT08Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01CA04RH4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Makita-XWT08Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless

 

[PoorUB]

Once in a while I have had to take off a large nut my impact wouldn't bust. I drill two holes in the nut, 180 degrees apart. start with a 1/8" bit so you can locate the hole easier, then move up to larger bits and go as large as you dare without cutting into the threads. At that point, hit it with the impact again and it should spin right off. If it doesn't, a couple wacks with a hammer and chisel at the holes may split the nut, or spread it slightly so the impact with take it off.

 

[shoggoth80]

When I dealt with really stuck axle nuts (bad front bearings, lots of heat)... I had to grind them down, carefully, until I could start to see threads. Then hammered on a socket and backed those off. Broke a breaker bar, and battered up some sockets in the process. They wouldn't budge with the usual tricks.