Date:         Mon, 2 Aug 2004 08:40:56 -0600
Reply-To:     Simon Reinhardt <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Simon Reinhardt <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
Subject:      Re: hello and a new memeber.
In-Reply-To:  <001b01c47891$0731ed00$ef02fea9@none8d9z0zb52k>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

EEK!
Speaking as someone who felt he had torqued his axle nut properly, only
to watch his tire, wheel, and brake drum go bounding away into a field,
I'd say be very, very, very careful doing this!
My axle nut sheared off the cotter pin, the nut unscrewed, and at 60
MPH off went everything. If it hadn't been for my difflock the van
would have had to just sit there in the middle of the road, waiting for
a cement truck to hit it!
After I replaced pretty much everything but the suspension at that
corner, I used a 4' floor jack handle as a cheater bar on a 3/4" drive
socket handle on the socket, calculated my weight and the proper
distance out the handle for the proper torque, and then overdid it
somewhat anyway. It's been fine for two years, now.
I'm NOT disparaging Stan, but if you use his method, PLEASE don't
exceed 20 mph while the nut is loose!

-Simon


On Aug 2, 2004, at 7:02 AM, Stan Wilder wrote:

> The rear axles need very little service.
> If you're going to remove the axles this is what I've found best.
> 1) Go to a truck service mechanic that can break the big nut loose.
> 2) Leave the nut loose enough that you can get it off yourself,
> install the
> cotter key and drive home.
> <clip>