Greetings Brickboard,

I just sheared my 0.5" breaker bar trying to remove the left front axle nut. The right front axle nut came off without too much problem. That one was probably working itself loose because I think that's the bearing that's making all the noise.

Anyways, I've soaked the nut and surrounding area with PB Blaster. However this nut will not budge. Has anyone run into this problem? Can I use a heat gun to soften up whatever adhesive gook might be in there? I am not worried about the bearing as I'm going to replace that anyway, but the heat on the axle might carry through to the CV joint.

Is a heat gun okay? Any other ideas on how to crack this nut ;-)

thanks,
-Greg
1998 V70 T5 5-speed
150,000 miles.

If the BFI technique fails (brute force and ignorance) fails, I'd throw some heat to it. If it has red Locktite on the threads, that stuff is a bear to get off w/o heat. A lot of front end bolts have it. Another option (not real handy) is to put the wheel back ond if possible run the car to where you buy tires and have them hit it with an impact wrench which will loosen it sure nuff. Doubt they'd charge you much if anything and you could get it off when you got home.

Well the heat gun did not get it off. I heated the nut and axle until they were almost too hot to touch, and still this thing wouldn't budge.

I guess after I get the other bearing replaced I can drive it to the tire shop. Thanks for the response. I didn't know my original method was BFI.

-Greg

Yeah, the BFI technique has been around a long time. Often it works but sometimes not. Front end work w/o an impact wrench can be pure drudgery as most everything is reeeeeeeeal tight. You may carefully try a propane torch on the nut before giving up. You'll need to get it pretty hot.

I changed my axle shafts and ran into the same thing. I had replacement nuts with the axle shafts so I drilled small holes into the face of the nut. 2-3 holes at the corners and the threads freed up enough that the BF worked them free.

Now your talking!

Can you elaborate a bit on this? You say you drilled into the face of the nut. Approximately what size drill bit did you use. Did the side of the nut actually separate? Did you drill close to the threads or close to the edge?

This sounds interesting.

-Greg

On mine I used a 25" inch breaker bar from Harbor Freight and stood on it or shall I say danced. I literally did pop one bar, but after soaking it with PB
Blaster the second bar broke it loose. If you are going to toss the axle do the drilling---the nut is rather soft metal. Good luck---the next fun thing for me was getting the shaft out of the bearing.

dick

So I guess if I'm not going to replace the axle I better stay away from drilling. I guess I'll put everything back together and take it to a tire shop.

On another note, what methods did you use to get the axle out of the hub?

Again, my Harbor Freight stuff, I used a gear puller, large, with three arms which went around the hub where you mount the tire. I tightened and hammered on the center part which faces the axle. Some are rusted and it takes patience, but you can do it. Some just back off the nut most of the way and hammer on it. For $119 you can get a complete axle with boots and nut at fcpgroton.

dick

Ah yes, the gear pullers. I use a big 3 prong puller to get the brake rotors off. I'm sure the rental shop has a smaller one I could use for the hub. Those things are indespensable.

Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated!
-Greg