Date:         Fri, 6 May 2005 08:40:43 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: 1985 Vanagon 2 WD - rear axle nut
Comments: To: AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <05db01c551f9$60f51c30$6401a8c0@aag>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

That 3/4 drive sounds weak to me for this particular nut.

Why do you need to remove it?

 It is not necessary to remove the nut to remove the rear drums. There
is a small bolt on the drum face that holds the drum to the axle flange.
Remove the bolt, and the drums slide off. If they haven't been off for a
while, it may take a bit of tapping, even some heat, but they will come
off without removing the axle nut.

I never have had to remove the axle nut from my Vanagons, but did on my
'68 loaf. Took more than a 3/4 drive I'll tell you. I tried using a pull
handle and a cheater bar and it snapped that pull handle right off at
the pivot where the drive tip was located. So, I got a socket and had it
welded to a piece of 3 foot long steel bar over which I slipped a 6 foot
piece of pipe. That took care of the problem.

You will find life to be much easier if you take it to a truck tire
place and have them simply break the nut free for you. If it is left
snug it is safe enough to drive it home, but having been broken free, it
will be easier to remove later.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

AAG - Larry Word wrote:

>Please verify the socket size needed for removal.
>
>46 mm?  Correct????
>
>What is that in American Size and can that be done?
>
>I plan to use a 3/4 inch. drive and an approx. 3 ft. pipe....
>
>Thanks
>
>Larry
>Georgia
>
>
>
>