62
How would you go about getting this rusted axle nut off? (thelemmy.club)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) by to c/cars@lemmy.world
52 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The wheel hub on this corner hasn't be replaced in at least half a dozen years, so there's been no reason for the axle to come out. I've got a torn CV boot, and this car isn't really worth the $500 CAD for an axle replacement *at the shop

I've tried 1/2" drive tools, a shitty second hand mastercaft air gun, a 24" breaker bar, and a propane torch that seems to have fuel flow issues. and penetrant, of course. So far, hasn't budged.

update: thank you everyone for the advice, however I'm calling it. I got too many other unfinished tasks, I'll let this one go to the shop and do some OT this week in the time I'd have been fucking around with it.

I did drill into the rust around the threads and pry the washer collar off (there was no staked material left at all) to remove material and get penetrant in deeper, but this just isn't what I want to be working on right now.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

The nut still looks like a nut, so all is not lost. It's just stuck.

Here's what you do:

  1. Whip up a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone. It will separate after a time, so shake it vigorously before you use it. It's the ultimate penetrant solution.
  2. Take that mix and soak the axle stub and nut with it. Get the back of the nut, too, where it meets the hub. Don't worry about making a mess. You want this to come off, right?
  3. Wait 24-48 hours. Reapply ATF/acetone mix multiple times while you wait, and periodically smack the stub with a hammer for good measure. You want the penetrant in every nook and cranny it can reach.
  4. When you're ready to remove the axle again, make sure your air compressor is fully charged and hit it hard with the impact gun. Hold the trigger until the compressor kicks on again, then hold it some more. Repeat as needed.
  5. If it still hasn't budged, bust out the torch again (or borrow one) and heat that fucker until it's cherry red. Hit it with the impact gun while it's still glowing.

Repeat this process until it comes off. Chances are it'll pop loose by step 4. But keep that torch handy. Yes, it's more-or-less what you've already done, and it will come off if you keep at it.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •