Need some quick help with my massive axle nut.

[Dumpy]

got 30 minutes before I run to Lowes, so need some quick help. On the '72, the axle nut that holds the bearing in is 2 1/16, and it will be days before NAPA can have the (hopefully) correct socket to me for around $60. The hub was loose so I pulled it to check the bearings, only to realize that it was the nut that was a little loose. I was able to easily tap it off with a hammer and screwdriver, but I know it will have to go on tighter and I need to make sure it will go on tight enough without boogering it up. Need some quick ideas about how to do this. Channel locks aren't long enough to reach in to snug it down, and or course the spindle is in the way. I need something long enough that I can grip the nut with.

[nepatternmaker]

Only thing you can do is get it good enough with the screwdriver and hammer, then do it right when you get the proper tool. Short trip, non-highway speeds, maybe it'll be ok. It's apparently been this way for a while, so it'll work for one more trip.

dave

[Dumpy]

I'm not driving the truck to lowes, I'm just leaving work, and I don't hang around after quittin' time. I just have a ton to do and I'm leaving town for the weekend, so I just wanna get it done.

[Dumpy]

Outta Here...wish me luck

[tgreese]

Use a chisel, not a screwdriver. That will get it tight, but leave an ugly mark in the nut. Be sure to bend the washer over. Bearing, washer, inner nut, washer, outer nut, bend the edge of the washer down to lock. IIRC.

[tgreese]

Also, you can get the socket from any of the Jeep retailers, like Oconee, for about $10. The nuts are cheap too, around $2.50 each.

http://www.oconeeoffroad.com/servlet...dle-nut/Detail
http://www.oconeeoffroad.com/servlet...ing-nut/Detail

[Gambler68]

That's a great price.

For some reason my 71 D60 uses a larger spindle nut, as I found out when the 2 1/8th ones came in the mail trying the next size up..

Good luck!

[Dumpy]

No kidding! What a price. Consider it ordered. I used a chisel to tighten it back up and it feels great. I'll drive it around a wee bit, jack it up, and see how it feels when I get back Sunday...thanks!!!

[250psd]

You can always invest in a smooth jaw pipe wrench for about $30 then your not commited to one size.

[Dumpy]

The problem lies in the fact that the nut has to go into a deep, dark, recessed hole of doom. I bought some oversized channel locks to try it out, but there was no way that was gonna happen.

[mudhunter241]

mmm are there any tractor supply stores they have big sockets I bought a set 7/8 up to 3 in for like 100 bucks

[Gambler68]

Originally Posted by Dumpy

No kidding! What a price. Consider it ordered. I used a chisel to tighten it back up and it feels great. I'll drive it around a wee bit, jack it up, and see how it feels when I get back Sunday...thanks!!!

The inner one you just get tight. Then the washer, and torque the outer to 150lbs..or..really tight. Bend the washer tabs over it (hope you did) because that's what keeps it tight.

[Dumpy]

Mine is weird. No tabs to bend anywhere on anything. The inner nut is the big daddy, then a spacer that has a guide on it for proper placement on the spindle, then some weird lock washer type deal, never seen anything like it before, then and round nut that HAS to be tightened with lock ring pliers or needle nose pliers. That's it. In know, weird, huh? My buddy was walking through the disassembly last night, and he had no clue what I'm talking about. He knows everything there is to know to about post 72 rigs. From what I understand, 72 is the redheaded stepchild of FSJs. All kinds of weird and different things that they didn't do again.

[Greenfish]

In reference to the thread title:

Thats what she said.

[Tornado230]

Sounds like some left-over parts from a lock-o-matic hub.
As to the socket, the hammer and chisel method was the popular way to remove and tighten the nut back in the old days.
My father took the nut and a 2" diameter pipe and cut and filed it until the nut fit inside the pipe. It works, I have 2 of them, never bought the proper socket.

[Dumpy]

Bingo, it's a lock-o-matic. That's good to know. That's awesome about the pipe thing I'll just save the trouble and get the socket. I never would have thought about doing that, though.

[Locked and Loaded]

Originally Posted by Tornado230

As to the socket, the hammer and chisel method was the popular way to remove and tighten the nut back in the old days.
My father took the nut and a 2" diameter pipe and cut and filed it until the nut fit inside the pipe. It works, I have 2 of them, never bought the proper socket.

There is no school, like old school.

[threepiece188]

When I needed a socket for my D 60 (2 3/8 I think) I made one too. I wraped a nut with 3 layers of masking tape (for clearance) then placed 6 pieces of 1/8 thick sheet metal on each flat and clamped them all together with 3 small C-clamps and welded that up. I then found a cheap (made in Tiawan) 1/2 " drive socket and welded that to the end. I thought about removing Tiawan and replacing it with Made In USA but I need to fix the toilet in my house first.

[drlocke]

Iddent dat nice how much those blasted jumbo sockets cost...? Especially when you get one and find it is the wrong size.

I did this. Then later at Tractor Supply Co I saw a threefer deal that covered the size needed all speedie-tied together for a tiny fraction of what I paid for the socket(s) I obtained before. Must be made out of highly-chromed porcelain....

I Like the pipe idea.

[Dumpy]

Drove the truck to spin class this morning and, MAN! repacked bearings, and no shimmy at 45 MPH. Sooo, THAT'S what it was!...lol. So glad it was discovered before it got bad. I thought it was a tire a little out of balance!