Hello all. Can anyone think of reasons why an axle nut would come loose? The last time CV's were put on my car was about four years ago. I've driven since then with no issues. Last year on the way to Florida, I started hearing a rubbing noise from the left front when I was slowing down. Stopped and checked. The wheel wasn't loose when you do the standard check for a loose bearing. I checked the nut and it took very little effort to back it off. I tightened down the best I could and made it to Florida. B4 coming back to NC I bought the right socket and tightened it to spec. A year later, the noise has returned. I checked it this morning and it was the same thing. The axle nut had come loose.
This time I tightened the nut again and added some thread lock as well. This has happened ONLY on the DRIVER'S side.
What reasons could there be for the nut to work it self loose over time?

 

Did you not replace the castle nut and cotter pin?

What spec did you torque it down to?

 

The castle nut has not been replaced. There's nothing wrong with it. The cotter pin had to replaced.

Today, I torqued it to 175 per Motorvate's site.

However, the issue I'm puzzled with is: as I said earlier, the CV's were both changed about FOUR (4) years ago. Seems to me it shouldn't take four years and over 100,000 miles later for this to occur (it shouldn't), and it hasn't happened on the other side.

 

IIRC the spec is 189-231, I always opt for the higher end. Also replace the cotter pin, and make sure the castle nut is there. Does the other side have those two pieces?

 

The cotter pin was replaced.
Per the Maxima FSM,torque is 174-231 ft. lb (235-314N-m)
Again, the other is perfectly fine and there are no issues with the other side.