Axle nut rusted solid to the hub. How do I get it off?

[fourgsixthree33]

So like the title says, I need to get this damn nut off but it is so rusted that it is basically welded to the hub. Obviously these are a pain in the a$$ on any day but mine is so rusted, it's unreal.

I've done all the tricks, PB Blaster, Impacts, breaker bars, 4ft pipes, etc. I haven't been able to heat it up yet. I doubt my propane torch would be hot enough.

So I cut the axle so I would still be able to make progress pulling out the engine. The shaft is still in the hub though. So eventually I will need to get it out. Any ideas? These are the original axles in this thing. Crazy stuff.

Also, any tricks to removing the driver side axle? Do I separate it from the tranny or from the carrier bearing?

 

[herms99gst]

If u have the axle cut all ready, pull the hub and get it pressed out.

 

[krh195]

I had a similar issue, I got the nut off but then I couldn't get the splines to break loose in the wheel bearing. First I tried a hammer with the nut on backwards to avoid hurting the axle.(passenger side came out without an issue) the drivers side would not budge, so I resorted to a acetylene torch and maul(after awhile I ruined my axle) So I seperated the ball joints and took the whole control arm/wheel bearing/axle into my workplace to use a press.(press didn't work, even when heated red hor it just started flexing the control arm) I ended up having to cut the wheel bearing off(it took like 20 mins of very careful torching and there were red hot ball bearings rolling everywhere)

For the nut I think heat is probably your last option.

Good luck, my drivers side was a PITA also.

 

[Bud92gsx]

A BFH..If you don't know what that means pm me..

Or a torch..Heat is great for removing old rusted stuff..

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Yea that's why I was hesitant to use my torch. I don't want to have to buy a new hub/wheel bearing. Was thinking about cutting the nut off as best as I can. Then chisel the rest off. If it works.

 

[rlacasse1]

Heat the living shit out of the nut. Then use a big ass prybar.

If that doesn't work, you're screwed.

And your little propane torch will not get hot enough to damage anything. It may get hot enough to help get the nut loos. But it won't get hot enough to damage the hub. Just remember to heat the nut, not the axle itself.

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Alright I will try my best. The nut, axle shaft, and hub are basically all one piece. Literally looks as if someone welded the nut on there. Except there is no weld bead. Just alot of rust haha.

 

[Bud92gsx]

That's kinda the staple for cars with higher milage in the rust belt..Or even cars in the rust belt in the first place..

I did my grils rotors early this spring..Took a half hour of beating with a BFH to get one of the rotors off..Ans that was after only 4 years or so with those rotors..

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Luckily, everything else on the car is rust free. Just the passenger side axle nut. The drivers side was normal. Impacted that axle nut off in 10 seconds.

 

[anchew02]

if a bfh doesnt work.... use a bigger F'n Hammer , 15 pound sledge will do wonders

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Wouldn't be able to use too big of a hammer unless I remove the lug studs.

 

[-red97rum-]

If you cut the axle already you're going to have to get that portion of it out of the hub. But you could have got the axle out of the transmission without removing the axle from the hub, I rarely remove the axle nut.

Just take out the two 17mm bolts/nuts on the strut, remove the tie rod end 17mm castle nut (bang the side of the steering arm w/hammer and the tie rod end should fall out), remove the 12mm bolt that holds the brake line bracket to the back of the strut, unbolt the two 14mm bolts for the axle carrier bearing and you'll have plenty of room to slide the axle out of the transmission and out of the way.

Edit: From the vfaq: http://vfaq.com/mods/clutch-1G.html

Driver side:

Remove the tie rod cotter pin and disconnect the tie rod end
Remove the brakeline bracket from the strut
Remove the lower strut bolts (17mm)
Remove the axle carrier bearing from the block
Pull the hub down and pull the driver axle out of the transaxle. This will pull the axle far enough away from the transaxle to allow removing it without the axle getting in the way.
If this works for you, use it.

 

[Bud92gsx]

if a bfh doesnt work.... use a bigger F'n Hammer , 15 pound sledge will do wonders

Bigger f'n hammer I like your style..

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Already popped the passenger side axle out of the tranny before I cut the axle. The axle was bad anyway and needed it out for additional room to remove other parts.

I see what you are saying about the driver side axle. I will do that.

If you cut the axle already you're going to have to get that portion of it out of the hub. But you could have got the axle out of the transmission without removing the axle from the hub, I rarely remove the axle nut.

Just take out the two 17mm bolts/nuts on the strut, remove the tie rod end 17mm castle nut (bang the side of the steering arm w/hammer and the tie rod end should fall out), remove the 12mm bolt that holds the brake line bracket to the back of the strut, unbolt the two 14mm bolts for the axle carrier bearing and you'll have plenty of room to slide the axle out of the transmission and out of the way.

Edit: From the vfaq: 1G AWD Clutch install

Driver side:

Remove the tie rod cotter pin and disconnect the tie rod end
Remove the brakeline bracket from the strut
Remove the lower strut bolts (17mm)
Remove the axle carrier bearing from the block
Pull the hub down and pull the driver axle out of the transaxle. This will pull the axle far enough away from the transaxle to allow removing it without the axle getting in the way.
If this works for you, use it.

Great info man

 

[400hp93talon]

Why dont you just take a cutting wheel to it? the axle is screwed so who cares about that just don't cut the shit out of the spindle and you would be fine. That's what I would do and I have done just about everything .

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Think that might be what I try first. Just hard to get a grinder in there with the lug studs in the way. I could probably get most of it cut off though.

 

[strange131]

i had the same the same thing happen to both my axles. i cut the passenger side axle to get room to work, and for both the driver n pass axle nuts, i used a torch to heat em up then an air chisel and it worked with no damage to any other parts, and i managed to nut have to cut the driver side axle, just got on ehalf of the nut cut n spred it open till it fell off of threads, then air hammerd the center of axle n sprayed some pb blaster, and a bit later it broke loose n came out. good luck

 

[Jeff99GS]

I had the same problem too. Heat the nut with that propane torch for about 5 minutes. Take your air gun and blast it in reverse then blast it forward...then reverse...then forward...then reverse...till it busts loose. Heat is the key. Dont worry tho, that lil torch wont hurt the wheel bearing.
If that still doesn't work then heat it again for 5 more min and repeat the back and forth action. Also sometimes you can bump up the air pressure of the compressor, but be careful.

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Will keep you updated.

 

[strange131]

any luck on the hub removal yet?

 

[4g63tc]

There is a tool called a "Nut Cracker", it basically busts it in half.
or
ToolLine.com - 18in Nut Splitting Tool

 

[LOVEBOOOST]

Alot of heat....a 1/2 inch huge rachet make sure its craftsman a big ass breaker bar 32mm socket and lot of pb or cut it

 

[brian9397gsx]

Oxy Acetylene torch and an impact. I had one that I broke a 3/4 breaker bar on. Torched it then hit it with my impact popped right off.

 

[Stevenson]

I had a similar issue with my 2g. I broke a half inch craftsman breaker bar in the process. I ended up getting a chizzle and a hammer and found a flat spot on the wall of the axle nut and repeatedly hit it untill it split then it came right out no problem.

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Many creative suggestions haha. I haven't messed with it as I was busy taking the engine apart. Where can I find that nut cracker tool? That sounds like it could do some damage haha.