That combo spark plug/axle tool? Broke it!

[bobhamlin]

I got my Nomad as salvage, with extensive front end damage. I remember looking for the front axle nut when I started putting it together. I also remember thinking "What the hell?" when it dawned on me that installing the front axle required a special tool--which I didn't know I had.

Then I found the spark plug tool was a perfect fit (may have read it here). I installed and torqued the axle. Six months later -- this past weekend -- I had to remove the wheel.

With my handy wrench, I couldn't budge the axle. With the help of a cheater bar, I twisted/sheared the tool in half. "This is great," I thought.

Ran to the local hardware store with one of my sockets that was a perfect fit. After determing that a 1/2" bolt head was too small and a 5/8" was too big, I calculated that a 9/16" hex bolt was what I needed. Of course, no local stores stock 9/16" bolts. He suggested an auto parts store.

I went to Napa and they didn't have 9/16" either. But then, in one of those inspirational moments, he asked, "Would metric work? We have 14mm." Why, yes it would. I got a bolt and two nuts. I had to run back for a third nut since the direction to remove the axle is the same direction to remove the nuts and I really had to super jam the nuts together.

When I went to reinstall the axle, I realized that my initial install might have caused the problem. I know this because I tried to torque this time to 108 ft. lbs. rather than 108 newtons. The tables in the Nomad's shop manual reverse the columns from the torque tables in my Classic's manual. (Voice of experience: Read column headings).

Live and learn.

[Yellow Jacket]

Bob,

What year is your Nomad? My service manual for the 2005-2008 calls for 80 ft-lbs for the front axle shaft.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Bob,

What year is your Nomad? My service manual for the 2005-2008 calls for 80 ft-lbs for the front axle shaft.

Is 80 ft lbs = 108 newton metres?

I assume you remembered to remove the pinch bolts before you tried to loosen the front axle?

I tried to find a 22mm hex bit for the front axle. Couldn't find one. I found a guy on eBay selling a 3" length of 22mm hex stock that I could insert into a 22mm socket so I bought one and it works great!

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Bob,

What year is your Nomad? My service manual for the 2005-2008 calls for 80 ft-lbs for the front axle shaft.

Yeah, that's what I screwed up. 80ft lbs equals 108 newtons. I picked the wrong column.

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

[quote author=bob board=general thread=11676 post=189797 time=1245123462]

I tried to find a 22mm hex bit for the front axle. Couldn't find one. I found a guy on eBay selling a 3" length of 22mm hex stock that I could insert into a 22mm socket so I bought one and it works great!

The following precision-machined, ingeniously-crafted device fits precisely and has been demonstrated to be able to torque (and un-torque) beyond Nomad specs. Available in any metric hardware section of autoparts and hardware stores. (14mm hex bolt and nuts. The "twist stop" washer is readily available in most cluttered garages/workshops)