Date:         Mon, 20 May 2002 08:17:06 -0600
Reply-To:     Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Rear axle nut size?
Comments: To: Trvlr2001@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <1a8.26d529a.2a1703ef@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

> You don't need to take it off for most brake work, and it's quite difficult
> to remove (and needs very large torque to replace -- 500 newton-meters and
> I use a 3/4" drive 46mm socket with about a 22" 3/4" socket breaker bar, with
> a 4 foot cheater bar, to break these buggers.

Hmmmm...how would you do brake work without taking it off?  Is there another
way to get inside the drum that I'm missing here?  I also use a 3/4" breaker
bar, and a 6-foot chain link fence post from Home Depot.  Comes right off.
Frequently moves the van, even with the van in gear and e-brake on tightly.
:)


> I believe I purchased the socket at Motorworks, but I`m told their no longer
> in business, but Sears may be able to order them for you, or Bus Depot.

The 1 13/16 is usually in stock at Sears, and with sockets this large, the
difference between metric and standard is negligible.


>
> Now, where do we get the big torque wrench to retighten them?

If you think in standard terms, this is pretty easy.  I'm 180 pounds, so
with a 2-foot cheater bar, and me at the end of it, I generate 360 ft. lbs.
I then go to the next available hole in the nut/axle and reinsert the cotter
pin. >