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Date:         Sat, 5 Nov 1994 21:00:19 -0600 (CST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark A Thomas <mthomas@tamsun.tamu.edu>
Subject:      Re: Rear axle nut. Uuugh!

When once trying to get off the flywheel gland nut on my beetle with a 1/2" K-Mart flex handle, I, too, broke the handle. Actually, my 400 lb. neighbor broke it when I asked him to help me and he put all his weight into it!

I went to a pawn shop and got a 3/4" breaker bar for no more than $10. then got a new Craftsman 1-7/16" (36mm) socket (3/4" drive). I still bent a 4 or 5 foot long cheater pipe! (engine had to be crammed under something to keep it from tipping over). I wandered around vacant lots and such in the neighborhood until I found a much heavier duty pipe (part of a junked gate--had to unbolt some parts from it). Finally got the nut to come off (some creaking, but amazingly easy).

I've never had a problem with that 3/4" breaker bar and ordninary sockets (not impact sockets), with that thick pipe, and I'm only 130 lbs. I've also used it with a 1-13/16" (46mm) Craftsman socket for the bus rear axle nuts. Always real easy.

A friend tells me he uses one of those thick sheet metal thingys that you bang on with a hammer, and it always works great for him.

Like they do with wheel lug bolts, shops always put these high-torque nuts on way too tight with impact wrenches.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mark Thomas / mthomas@tamu.edu / 409-862-1052, fax: 409-845-6238 Evans Library, Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77803

The vehicle of choice for those who have wished _______________ to make personal statements about their values /__||_||_||_||_|| via their mode of transport. | | | --Car & Driver `--(_)------(_)--'


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