Help....cannot remove the 30 mm locked axle nut!

[Jimigunne]

I need to change the CV half-shafts on my 2004 Corolla sedan with 5-spd transaxle. I got new ones from Rockauto. Started on LH side, but there is a 30 MM 12-point axle shaft nut, and it appears that I cannot budge it with 12 MM 1/2 in. socket because they used a staking tool to punch a little rectangular dimple on the nut to lock it. (I see there is a special tool I can get ---the socket and a special punch/levering tool, for 30.00.) But this looks like it is made to slide into the groove and then you bend the staked indent back outward to unlock the nut. On my car, however, the staked indent isn't in line with the groove in axle! It is on the threads, about 3/8 in. over from the groove! So even if I bought this tool, I would end up severely damaging the axle threads. I guess I have no choice but to just use one of my own flat-bladed punches and hit the front edge of the nut at the dimple enough to allow the nut to turn? This of course will render the old half-shaft unuseable again if I have the wrong part....so I will be sweating bullets that Rockauto has sent me the correct half-shaft!

I have already tried punching the front of the nut at the dimple a little, causing minor damage to the threads, but even after using mapp gas on the nut, and with breaker bar and cheater pipe, it still didn't turn!

it looks like I will have to completely destroy the nut, so does anyone know where I can get a new one? I checked Rockauto for this, they don't list it, and a google search didn't turn up a source. Maybe any 30 MM nut could be used with a lockwasher? One one of a type that can be cotter-pinned?

Also, I didn't find in my Haynes manual on the car where it states what lubricant is to be used in the manual transaxle. Anyone know?

[invader]

Axle nut is included with CV half shaft assy... Which brand did you order?
Locking the brake rotor with a large screwdriver in the outer cooling slot helps to loosen axle nut, while reducing stress on CV joints... Are both of yours bad? The right one usually lasts pretty good. Aftermarket CV half shafts are usually weaker than OEM, especially the ones made in China.

[Jimigunne]

For the price i paid, $44.00 ea new, I must have the cheap chinese ones. Will look in box to see if it has new nuts. yea, the wheel is locked up with a crow bar on the wheel studs. As I said I whacked the very front of the nut some trying to get the area of it right at the staked dimple to loosen with narrow but flat-bladed punch, no luck. Of course the staked dimple is a little back from the front edge of nut. The half shaft makes some clicking noises as its rotated, so I think I am channnnnnging the right one. Thanks! (I'll order a pair of quality half-shafts later one to have around when the cheap ones fail---fund are tight right now)

[paulstoyota]

Always remember, you can call up any dealership and ask a mechanic or someone at the desk of the service department basic questions you are curious about. I've found they're pretty good at helping. I've done it many times. They're not going to hold your hand of course, and you don't want to bug them too much.

I called about the gear oil when I did a clutch this winter. '03 Corollas take 75W-90 gear oil. Always double-check any oil advice. I'm going by memory here as it's been a while.

I wouldn't worry about having the wrong half-shaft from the parts store. It's not like there are a million. And the axle nut comes with the new shaft like the other guy said.

Give us an update. Some people cut the nut off - you need a good grinder and even better eye protection, my friend. Don't risk it. I've heard horrible stories about grinders breaking up. They spin at 10,000 rpm. You just cut a deep groove into the nut - parallel to the axle shaft, then pry off the nut with a hammer and chisel. In your case, you wouldn't be worried about hitting the threads of the half-shaft since that's what you're replacing.

[05_Echo]

I just use this and the socket, I leave the wheels on and the car on the ground and just blast them off, I don't worry about where they bend it in to lock it I just buzz them off and they will straighten out.

When it's all done I just take a hammer and punch and give it a smack or two to rebend it into that key way.

[paulstoyota]

sweet tool. I've got an impact wrench, but no compressor! Did a whole clutch job with just hand tools and when I got done, went straight out and bought the impact wrench. Unfortunately, most people have to figure out the old fashioned way how to get those stubborn axle nuts off.