Date:         Sat, 15 Apr 2000 21:04:53 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject:      Re: axle nut won't budge
Comments: To: Woody Halsey <WoodyHalsey@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

You don't have to remove the nut to change the brakes. Remove the locking
screws and then remove the drum. If the nut absolutely has to come off for some
reason, then start by first spraying the nut with some freezing compund in a
can... something that gets really cold when sprayed. Spray that nut and and
shaft until you know without a doubt the nut and shaft are cold through and
through. Then with Bus Depot nut wrench standing by, turn your propane tourch
on the nut....no where else...just the nut. The heat directly on the nut will
cause the nut to expand larger than the shaft. You should now be able to turn
the nut. But be quick about it. Begin hitting the nut wrench as GMBulley has
said in the past....two hundred blows....or whenever the nut loosens, which
ever comes first.

Good luck.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver



Woody Halsey wrote:

> Dear List,
>
> The excellent mechanic who is replacing my brakes for me tells me he has
> broken three tools and bent a 7-foot piece of pipe trying to loosen the
> axle nut on the left rear wheel of my 83.5 V'gon. He's about to throw up
> his hands in despair.
>
> If you have any suggestions, please send them to my personal email address,
> since I have not re-subscribed to the list since leaving on my long trip.
>
> Many thanks in advance!
>
> Woody