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pjminn
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2018
Posts: 8
Location: Duluth, MN
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 Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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It took more that 1400 ft-lbs of torque  to remove my axle nuts for the first time in decades. I am down two 1/2 breaker bars but now have a 40" long 3/4 breaker bare that I store in my 6ft steel pipe just in case i need to do it again. 
Thanks for for the informative comments in this thread.
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85 Westy: Work in progress |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3796
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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Man I would highly recommend an overkill setup for breaking those axle nuts. It's just so satisfying putting all your weight on that breaker bar and hearing that crack. I couldn't imagine doing axle nuts without my 6 foot cheater. I hate I spent $10 on this little axle remover tool made for it.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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kalispell365
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Joined: April 01, 2010
Posts: 889
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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The other helpful item not mentioned here is using some anti seize on the axle nut threads. It allows removal even years down the road without killing yourself.
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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As mentioned, even using shade tree tools, installing is far easier than removing axle nuts that have been rusted in place for 35+ years, which may require several hundred pounds of torque to loosen.
For especially stubborn nuts, if the vehicle is mobile, drive it to a nearby truck stop or other service center that uses impact wrenches; take along your own 46 mm impact-rated socket. The boys there will happily zap those rusty old nuts loose, then just snug them back on for you.
Drive home and use the aforementioned 3/4" breaker bar and section of pipe to remove, and reinstall.
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3577
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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| Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
As mentioned, even using shade tree tools, installing is far easier than removing axle nuts that have been rusted in place for 35+ years, which may require several hundred pounds of torque to loosen.
For especially stubborn nuts, if the vehicle is mobile, drive it to a nearby truck stop or other service center that uses impact wrenches; take along your own 46 mm impact-rated socket. The boys there will happily zap those rusty old nuts loose, then just snug them back on for you.
Drive home and use the aforementioned 3/4" breaker bar and section of pipe to remove, and reinstall. |
3/4” impact,,,,,, I bought one years ago for our Air Cooled VWs just for the rear axle nuts... Then I sold it once those vehicles were gone.... then I bought a Harbor Freight version last year after years of not needing that impact...l 
Now I have a 3/4” Torque Wrench I bought off a retiring Mechanic to correctly torque the nut back to that 360 spec.
I’ve done the long breaker and a cheater handle routine as well.
Done the 1/2 impact with the 3/4 adapter too.
I really like the 3/4” impact route, you do need air of course, but it’s so fast with the cotter pin removed.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| ... it’s so fast with the cotter pin removed. |
Yes, it's considerably slower with the Cotter pin in place 
I should also mention that after loosening the nuts, the Cotter pin should be reinstalled before driving home for the final removal; wouldn't want any mishaps.
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3577
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Drum brakes, CV joints, rear axle bearings |
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| Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| ... it’s so fast with the cotter pin removed. |
Yes, it's considerably slower with the Cotter pin in place
I should also mention that after loosening the nuts, the Cotter pin should be reinstalled before driving home for the final removal; wouldn't want any mishaps. |
. What I mean with the Cotter pin is that I don’t use the impact to snap the cotter pin and spin the axle nut off the threads .
They’re stout, not tiny like on a tie rod end that you’re replacing anyway, and you don’t want to create damage here and more work.... 
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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