Removing the axle nut

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

Nice description here. Many subtle tips here, that I'm sure will help for the extra-difficult removals. I'll make a note of this.

Regarding other comments, yes, just a screwdriver + light hammer will bend out the crimp thing. And it's not really to prevent it from being removed, it's to prevent it from removing itself.

Regarding torque, I have a torque multiplier which will scale things up by a factor of 3.3x (as I recall), which is a nice solution for high torque settings. But also ... I have not undone the axle nuts on my x5 yet, but on other cars, when I remove, reinstall, and torque, I (always, I think) find that the crimp ends up at the same spot, regardless of how difficult it was to remove the nut vs. to re-torque it.

So for those without a 310 ft-lb torque wrench, torque multiplier, or extension bar, if your estimate of the right torque causes the nut to line up with the crimp in the original position, that should be taken as a confirmation that things are right. And if not ...

Also, for high torque items like this, the manual will often be specific about surface preparation, for example, surfaces clean and with a light covering of engine oil. Since friction is a major component of the applied torque, things like these instructions that affect applied torque should be followed.

My brother has a torque multiplier which he used to remove the axle nut on his Sienna. The shop owner where he rented the lift never saw a torque multiplier before and was amazed at how easily the nut came off with just a normal length ratchet.

As for the comment of lining up the old nut indent with the axle indent, that only works if you use the old nut which I don't advise reusing the old nut.