Found a torn boot for the left outside CV joint. Before starting this job, I wanted to make sure I could loosen all the nuts and bolts without an impact wrench. Bought a 36mm impact socket for $9.95 at Pep Boys. Soaked everything with penetrating oil overnight. A breaker bar worked on everything but the axle nut. Even a six foot pipe on the breaker bar did not work. A manual impact wrench and a small sledge hammer did not work.

What did work was heat. I figured since the rotors can get pretty hot, heat in this area was not a bad idea. I used a propane torch and kept moving the flame around the outside of the nut for about 2 or three minutes until things started smoking. Then I took an ice cube and melted it on the tip of the axle. The idea is to have the nut hot and the axle cold. Using the breaker bar and the six foot extension, on the second tug it broke free. For safety, I did keep two fire extinguishers handy while using the torch. Any comments on using this technique?

 

uuum. your ROTORS get got, not the hub. I don't think you should make this a regular practice

I used my beasty strength to get mine off...Olympic power lifting style with a 4 foot aluminum bar

 

we usually have a 300ld guy stand on a 2 ft bar and bounce up and down a few time and it seems to work because my impact usually wont take them off i need a bigger impact wrench like this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4312 although its alittle out of my price range

 

I did not have to use excessive heat. I once had an overtorqued oil pan drain plug that would not budge. Simply ran the engine until it got good and hot. Did not use a torch. Applied ice to the drain plug to cool it down and the plug came off easily. The temperature differential did the trick.

 

The last time I had to break mine off, I had my breaker bar with an extension, and the car would actually move a little. After many attempts I had moved the car a couple of inches. So I waited till JMAXIMA came over, and let him try while I stood on the brake pedal. Worked nicely.

 

i guess what ever works. just becareful you don't melt the grease out of the bearings...then you'll need to do the job again..but w/ a press for the bearings.

my impact did get mine out w/o much effort