Date:         Fri, 6 May 2005 10:00:34 EDT
Reply-To:     Trvlr2001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         No Name Available <Trvlr2001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1985 Vanagon 2 WD - rear axle nut
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Replacing rear bearings?
Right on about the Big Diesel Truck Stop Shop though.
Serenity Now !!!!
But, I do use a 3/4" 46 mm socket (wish it was 1" )
on a 18" socket wrench ( not a ratchet! ) ( and Yes !!!!, I wish I had a
bigger bar !!!! :o)
With a 6 foot pipe on the end of it.
I figured, that if I place my 180 lb. about 3 foot from the wheel center,
The torque works out about right?
bus on !!!
JC...
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.