Axle Nut - HELP (please)
 

So, I am trying to replace the CV axles on the X (3.0 if it matters).

I can not, for the life of me, get this axle nut off. I don't know if I've stripped the threads, if I haven't tapped the indents out enough, or I'm just lame.

Does anyone have any ideas here? If this nut is permanently attached to this axle, what else can I do to get it off?

I've tried an impact drill (rented from Home Depot), hammering on an 18 inch breaker bar, and pulling all the muscles in back trying to get it off.

If I have to drill it - how do I do that? Just drill around the edges until I can break some pieces of it off?

Thanks much.

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/ylwj...e2627-nut.html

For some reason, I am having a hard time inserting the pic, but it's my gallery here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/ylwj...e2627-nut.html

Soak it in PB blaster overnight

It is laughing at that 18" breaker bar.

I needed a 1/2" drive 22" breaker bar PLUS to slip the handle of my jack over it (about 4 feet total)

You need more torque on it. Impact is also not gonna help. You need a longer lever hence the jack handle over the breaker bar.

A compressor (over 4cfm supply) and an 800 ft/lb double hammer impact gun will remove it no problem.

I looked at what Home Depot rents, impact guns for little girls (around 200 ft/lbs max).

I got this set-up for driveshaft flange removal.....

The one I got isn't probably the most powerful, but the point of DIY is to save some money - it sure ain't fun. Of course, on this project, I have exceeded the labor cost in buying all kinds of stuff I'll never need again.

I'll try the PB, and I also got a piece of real pipe. The conduit I had that use as a tensioner pulley extension bent like a pretzel.

Does that nut in the pic look ok? I am worried maybe I chiseled too much, and damaged the threads, and it will therefore have to be drilled off.

Thanks again.

This might help....

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...questions.html

On the right side of the nut it appears that you drove the metal "down" into the slot instead of "out". But first, much bigger pry bar is needed.

The nut looks fine. I also used a chisel on the staked edges.

As long as you are using 36mm12 pt socket you are good. Need 3 foot or so of steel pipe over your breaker bar. Use the handle for your floor jack if you can

Part of DIYing is because one enjoys working on cars, or wants to save a few bucks.

Looks like you just found out why mechanics makes the big bucks and why it will cost more to do it yourself if you don't have a good set of tools already.

Good Luck with the rest of the project, and perhaps maybe the next time you'll think twice before starting a project like this.

Keep trying. Don't give up. I think the lesson is that some brands of impact tools really overstate their strength. Artic Cat, Ingersoll Rand ... When they say 1000 ft-lbs, you get 1000 ft lbs.

Don't even think about "drilling" it. That axle you would ruin is EXPENSIVE.