Axle Nut: rusted beyond belief - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ridaalki · 02-22-2008, 08:26 PM

I have a major problem with one of the front axle nuts on my 1996 4-cyl Camry - it's one big rusted mess!

The previous owner installed BORBET aluminum rims on the car - the problem - the center cap on the left front rim retained water for a long, long time behind it. The result: the nut looks like it came from the Titanic - it has so much rust on it it doesn't even look like a nut any longer.

I used a stiff wire brush and one of those products at the auto store that is "supposed" to remove rust. At this rate, it will take me to 2010 to finally get the ^%$& nut off!

Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?

RudyT · 02-22-2008, 08:41 PM

C4

xtremeskier97 · 02-22-2008, 08:43 PM

PB Blaster and an impact air wrench!

***ASG14*** · 02-22-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

PB Blaster and an impact air wrench!

Or a breaker bar if you have one. And you need a DEEP 30mm socket, not the shollow one.

ridaalki · 02-22-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RudyT

C4

I never thought about this option!

ridaalki · 02-22-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

PB Blaster and an impact air wrench!

I've also used PB Blaster o this nut, but I do not have access to an air impact wrench.

ridaalki · 02-22-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASG14

Or a breaker bar if you have one. And you need a DEEP 30mm socket, not the shollow one.

Thanks for the socket size - a breaker bar is a good idea - why didn't I think of this?

***ASG14*** · 02-22-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridaalki

Thanks for the socket size - a breaker bar is a good idea - why didn't I think of this?

Brain fart?

If you don;t have one, they are like $20 at most auto stores. Make sure it has a 2ft handle, not any shorter. And make SURE you have the car on jack stands.

touringcamry · 02-22-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASG14

Brain fart?

If you don;t have one, they are like $20 at most auto stores. Make sure it has a 2ft handle, not any shorter. And make SURE you have the car on jack stands.

Either that or use a piece of steel pipe to increase leverage. Just don't use that with a ratchet...

My friend broke his 3/8" ratchet with a 6 ft cheater once.

bronzemaxell · 02-22-2008, 09:47 PM

i don't think 3/8 ratch is strong enough
last time i used a 1/2" deep socket 30mm, with a craftman 1/2 ratchet, and 6 ft pipe from home depot fence section, don't jackup the car just yet, pull hand brake, and have some1 step on the brake padel hard to lock the wheel from spinning.

i was afraid i was going to break either the craftman 1/2" ratchet or the socket before the nuts will come loose, i think that was torqued at 210+ lb ft. i saw the pipe started to flex. i must have applied about 50 lbs of force at the end of the 6 ft pipe, that translate into roughly 300lb ft of torque.

touringcamry · 02-22-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronzemaxell

i don't think 3/8 ratch is strong enough
last time i used a 1/2" deep socket 30mm, with a craftman 1/2 ratchet, and 6 ft pipe from home depot fence section, don't jackup the car just yet, pull hand brake, and have some1 step on the brake padel hard to lock the wheel from spinning.

i was afraid i was going to break either the craftman 1/2" ratchet or the socket before the nuts will come loose, i think that was torqued at 210+ lb ft. i saw the pipe started to flex. i must have applied about 50 lbs of force at the end of the 6 ft pipe, that translate into roughly 300lb ft of torque.

I was saying that's how my friend broke his 3/8" ratchet.

I wouldn't use a ratchet period. A breaker bar is much more stout. As for the amount of force you had to apply, any rust or corrosion would have accounted for the tightness.

If you are afraid of the socket breaking, you may consider using an impact socket instead of the regular sockets. Impact sockets are a lot tougher, but also more expensive.

Luckynumber5 · 02-22-2008, 11:24 PM

You are looking at a lot of hard work getting that nut off (hehe)

If you soak the nut in penetrating oil do not heat it afterward. Pick one or the other.

Worst case scenario you will need to destroy the nut, hopefully you can!

edit: do NOT use an electric impact wrench on a stuck axle nut, it will burn up.

Sniperdude · 02-22-2008, 11:32 PM

Make sure you get a craftsman breaker bar or something... no cheap chinese steel. I was using a chinese breaker bar over the summer while pulling off an wheel hub knuckle so I could get the struts off, and it broke and splintered and I got stabbed with a piece... it sucked pretty bad.

xtremeskier97 · 02-23-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASG14

Brain fart?

If you don;t have one, they are like $20 at most auto stores. Make sure it has a 2ft handle, not any shorter. And make SURE you have the car on jack stands.

DONT have the car on jackstands OR a jack to break that nut loose. Leave the car on the GROUND until you break it free. You can access the hub nut with the tire still on the car.