Spindle Nut Removal

[imported_dtom4]

Hey guys:

I'm trying to replace the axles on my 90 sedan and can't get the spindle nut off. The spindle has a flat spot and the lip of the nut is bent in there to create a lock. I tapped out the lip the best I could and soaked it in liquid wrench but it still won't budge. I've been jumping up and down with a breaker bar and it absolutely won't move. Do I have to mutilate the nut to get it off? I'm trying not to damage the spindle though it probably doesn't matter anyway since I am replacing the axle anyway.

Also, autozone shows a 23 and a 26 spline axle. Anyone know which one would be on my 90 sedan LX. I was trying to get it off to there and avoid the core charge but may be better off just picking it up and seeing if it comes with new nuts.
TIA

DAve

[imported_DIYperformance]

Originally posted by dtom4@Mar 26 2004, 02:08 PM
Hey guys:
I'm trying not to damage the spindle though it probably doesn't matter anyway since I am replacing the axle anyway.

Replacing the axle isn't going to fix a damaged spindle. And if your car is a 1990 and that bolt has never come off before, then it's probably rusted on. I would just cut it off somehow. The new axles may come with that nut anyways, but even if not a new one is only a few bucks right from honda.
And just in case (not doubting your experience here, but I don't know you!) you did remove the cotter pin, right? Because if that's in you'll jump up and down all day and it's not going to move.

You mentioned that you have to replace both axles. Are you having the same problem with the other one?

[imported_dtom4]

Replacing the axle isn't going to fix a damaged spindle. And just in case (not doubting your experience here, but I don't know you!) you did remove the cotter pin, right? Because if that's in you'll jump up and down all day and it's not going to move.
You mentioned that you have to replace both axles. Are you having the same problem with the other one?[/quote]
And just in case (not doubting your experience here, but I don't know you!) you did remove the cotter pin, right?

Thanks for the response. Maybe I'm not using the right terminolgy but I'm talking about the spline section of the outer cv joint that goes through the hub the spindle nut attaches to. Since its part of the axle/half shaft assembly I'm replacing I figure even if its damaged it is being replaced as part of the whole assembly.

It has no cotter pin. There is a flat section of the spindle and the nut has a lip that is bent in there to prevent it from backing out. It looks like you have to straighten out the lip again to allow the nut to back out, the same effect as a cotter pin.

I'm doing the drivers side first since thats the bad one but will do the other side as well a little later and havn't gotten to it yet.


Dave

[j diggi]

1/2" - 3/4" breaker bar
axle socket
6' pipe


If you not doing this already. Try and take the nut off with the wheel on and the car on the ground. Getting that sucker nice and hot may help too.

[imported_dtom4]

Thanks

I have the spindle nut socket, 1/2" breaker bar and will try using a long pipe with it. I've been tryig to remove it on the ground and like you said a torch is next and maybe cutting up the nut itself.

Dave T.

[Toyz-B-Us]

I have always used an impact wrench, but if you don't have air tools use a breaker bar with a cheater extension while someone is in the car with the brakes locked. You might want to soak it with WD40 for a while prior to removal if it is really rusted. As far as the amount of splines, the Si would be the one that has a larger hub and more splines.

[Calesta]

The DX/LX/EX/Si all have the same spline count... you should have 26. The HF and STD (not sure about STD) use the smaller axles.

Use a breaker bar with a long pipe while the car is on the ground with the wheel on. That's about the only way you'll get it off if it's stuck on that bad... most of the times my impact doesn't want to budge it either. If you have someone stand on the brakes while the car is in the air, the axle will turn- unless you have the engine on and the power brake booster working.

[imported_dtom4]

Ok-Now I'm really getting pissed at this. I finally got the nut off by soakinig it in liquid wrench, heating it with a torch and using a 5ft pipe on a 1/2" breaker bar. Figured piece of cake from here. Now I can't get the ball joint off the control arm so I can slide the axle completely off the hub. I've torched it and neither a puller (I wanted to save it) or a fork with a sledge hammer (I gave up on saving it) would work. Any suggestions? TIA

Dave

BTW-I counted the splines and it is 26

[j diggi]

Originally posted by dtom4@Mar 29 2004, 06:06 PM
Ok-Now I'm really getting pissed at this. I finally got the nut off by soakinig it in liquid wrench, heating it with a torch and using a 5ft pipe on a 1/2" breaker bar. Figured piece of cake from here. Now I can't get the ball joint off the control arm so I can slide the axle completely off the hub. I've torched it and neither a puller (I wanted to save it) or a fork with a sledge hammer (I gave up on saving it) would work. Any suggestions? TIA

Dave

BTW-I counted the splines and it is 26

Man, this sounds just like the problems I had. I hate to do it but I broke down and am having one of the techs at work tommorrow fix it. I couldn't get the lower ball joint loose. I ran out of time and gave up. Wish I could be of more help.

[imported_dtom4]

Well, I was actually able to get the job done today. I used the fork and beat the hell out of it with a sledge hammer. After about the 10th really hard whack, and I mean really hard it finally popped. I was just about to give up. Anyway it went pretty smooth from there but the ball joint is going to be a problem. The boot was damaged somewhat and when I tried to torque it the shaft spins so I was only able to tighten it as much as I could. Anyway replacing it is for another day as I have no more time and I'm just grateful to get it back on the road again. j diggi, sorry to hear you are having the same problems I had. I can tell you if you can get the ball joint off its not bad. Let me know if you decide to give it a shot and I can be of help.