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70below
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
21:50:52

Subject: spindle nut probs...
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I was trying to replace my hub (bearings) on my 2001 Dakota 4x4 today, but couldn't get the spindle nut to budge. I was literally standing on the breaker bar and nothing! Any tips to get that puppy off there? I used every trick I know on it.



Epyon
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2007
22:54:05

RE: spindle nut probs...
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Ya man been there. those nuts are on there with 160 Ft Lbs and then rust and everything else. I had to get a 6 foot bar and put it over my handle of my breaker bar and stand on that and they broke loose. either that or get a good air impact gun



Shoe
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10/11/2007
02:05:39

RE: spindle nut probs...
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Ever heard of WD-40 or any other type of penetrating-lube?

Finally... a V8. '01 Dodge Dakota RC, 4.7, 5-speed, 3.92 LSD. = R/T Killer.
well at least a stock one

70below
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2007
06:32:48

RE: spindle nut probs...
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Oh, believe me, no WD-40 was spared, along with breaker bar extensions, and torch action. Didn't move an inch. I'm 250lbs, and I was standing LITERALLY on an 18" breaker bar with a 3ft extension.



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2007
08:40:34

RE: spindle nut probs...
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i've found that PB blaster works better than WD.



Pugsy
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2007
23:12:10

RE: spindle nut probs...
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I just changed my hub this weekend. Mine nut was tough also. What I ended up doing was having someone grab the socket with a pipe wrench and twist while I was pushing down on the breaker bar, and it came loose very easily.
My guess is that when you stand on the breaker bar, the force is not directed to the nut - the socket needs to be supported and square for the force of a 250 lbs dude to get torque to the proper spot. That's why an impact wrench does the trick, there's no downward pressure on the socket, just rotating torque.
Another problem was removing the rotor from the hub, but with the hub off, you can bash it against the ground to get the rotor free.
Be sure to use a NEW nut when replacing the new hub.
Good luck!



70below
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2007
18:02:46

RE: spindle nut probs...
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I didn't have any problems at all getting the rotor off. Getting the hub off of the steering knuckle took a rather large beating with a 3lb hammer, but it eventually came free. All replaced, working great, and SO much more quiet. I hit that spindle nut with 125psi off and on for about 15 minutes without it budging a bit....I cranked the air compressor up to 140+ psi and went and rattled on it for another 5 minutes and nothing, I was just getting ready to give up and it suddenly came loose. I was one happy man.....until I couldn't get the hub off the knuckle....lol.



Lee
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2007
15:37:13

RE: spindle nut probs...
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I am always amazed at the amount of force that can be applied with leverage. Like Pugsy said, the socket must be supported for the rotational force to take effect. Once you get things lined up, you can REALLY generate some torque!

A six foot long pipe with a 250 guy on the end generates 1500 ft/lbs at the nut. My friends and I work on air cooled VWs a lot, and the rear axle nuts would always represent a challenge. We finally got smart and made a couple of tools. One is an anti-torque tool that bolts to the brake drum. It bears against the ground and prevents the drum from turning. We then welded a 36mm nut to a thick piece of steel. A 6 foot long piece of black fire sprinkler pipe gets slipped over the socket tool, and no axle nut can resist! We usually still try the impact on the nuts first, but the breaker bar will break them loose when the impact won't. Every time.

Lee



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2007
17:00:16

RE: spindle nut probs...
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Here's something that might help. Place a jack stand under the ratchet/breaker-bars end that attaches the the socket, this keeps the force rotating instead of pushing down.



OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2007
19:24:33

RE: spindle nut probs...
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Lee........ I pretty much did what you did only I welded the 36mm socket to a Datsun pickup torsion bar. It never failed to work. I built a lot of dune buggies in days gone by.



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