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Why can't i get the drive shaft nut off?

9.8K views 18 replies 12 participants last post by  ColinGreene  
#1 ·
I've been trying to replace my left drive shaft, i just can't get the nut off
i've bent out the little cruch part of the nut with a screw driver, been round it with a screw driver so it's not pushing in anywhere
i've jammed the brakes with a pole against the seat, but no matter how hard i try i can't get the nut to undo and now as i keep trying i'm risking rounding off the nut if i keep trying and it slipping off, and when i really heave it, the brake struggles to hold it
it shouldn't be much tighter than a wheel bolt, so why can't i get it off?

i thought maybe it was a reverse thread, but i checked the replacement and that is a normal thread
 
#4 ·
are they really usually that stiff?
gingers don't do well in the sun, so i might not have been at full strength, but i was using a big enough bar that normally makes taking wheel bolts off possible with just 2 fingers
it felt like if i pushed any harder something was going to snap or the car was going to be lifted off it's jack stand
 
#8 ·
Depending on your wheel, you may be able to remove the centre cap and put the socket through it with the wheel in place and the car on the ground. You can then put it in gear, hand brake on tight and also apply the foot brake. Should give you plenty of resistance.

If you can't do that, the other option is to jack the car up nice and high. Use an extension on the socket and put an axle stand under the extension where the breaker bar connects. It will support it and that way you can put a lot more force into it without it trying to twist off the nut.

I usually put a screw driver in between the brake calliper and the middle of the disc to lock it off. I guess it's not the ideal method but it's easy and quick.
 
#11 ·
I will try this as mentioned above i should be able to pop the centre cap out, never thought of this, should make things many times easier
i nearly got the impact socket, but just went for the normal type one because i had no idea it would be so stiff
might pick up a longer breaker bar while i'm there, although i feel i will let down my proud warrior ginger race
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the advice people

For those who said i needed a jar of man the fuck up cream, suck on my massive banana shaped breaker bar

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It did eventually come undone, but i was totally pissing my self while looking in the other direction for the last couple of pulls on the jack, i was at the point i was considering putting a helmet on when it finally gave.

Still didn't get the job done, couldn't get the ball joint off the bottom of the strut, and i sheered the nut off the top of the track rod end to make things even worse, i'm starting to think i was never meant to change this drive-shaft without assistance

I'll have to beat my gf when she gets home to get some manliness back, although even that will probably end up with me getting my ass kicked by a girl