i need all the ideas folks have to get the nut off the drive axle (im doing the passenger side first), is it best to leave the wheel on or off to break it. i have an 18" breaker bar with a 32 mm socket, soaked with pblaster. i have a few more ?'s but i'll wait till the nut comes off.....

thanku,

cheese.

 

I have always taken the wheels off. Do you have an impact wrench?

 

If you are using a breaker bar leak the car on the ground with the wheels on and break it loose.

 

no impact wrench wish i did, im thinking some heat but how hot?

 

try some heat, but I would do what tech said first if you haven't tried that already.

 

I leave the wheels on and touching the ground then I slide a 4 foot pipe on the end of my breaker bar. Pulls nice and easy. The pipe comes in handy later after you take out the three nuts on the bottom of the ball joint and need to press the control arm down to get the ball joint free.

 

it should be a 36mm socket....

leave it on the ground and it will twist right off for ya. make sure you chack the wheels.


as for getting the ball joint free... just push it down with your hand, i have never needed any leverage to do that part, and im a scrawny 150lb guy.

 

+1 on the cheater bar!! Stand on it if you have to, but do not let the socket slip of the nut.

 

tried all the above still wont move

 

You might have to stop by some kind of shop that has air tool and have them break it loose and tighten it back up some for you. This way you can drive it home and break it loose again and change the axle.

 

thats what i was thinking cause it aint comin off for me...can i dismantle the boot and take the joint apart and slide it out that way

 

harbor freight has a 1/2 impact wrench for 20 bucks

 

The end joint is a pain to get off.
That gun might work and might not.

 

harbor freight has an impact for 20.00

 

That is fine if it is strong enough to get it loose.

 

seeing how this is such a b to get off im wondering if i should use loctite like sugested

 

I never do but I have an impact gun to tighten and loosen with.

 

thanks tech i went to the shop up the road and the guy broke the nut in less than a minute that was a good idea, thanks for all the other suggestions as well. after i got all the new parts in i went to townfairtire for an alignment, 69.00 + 5.00 per tire to balance the front 2, and a free alignment when i bring it back because they said the left tie rods need replacing, not a bad deal. it rides like new.
thanks for everyone's support
now back to the alternator, not sure if it needs replacing

 

Glad you got it done.