Hi
I need to get the brake drum off one of the rear wheels of my ZX. The thread that the hub nut is on has a notch, and a sleeve on the nut has been knocked into the notch to lock the nut on. Apart from an expensive air-driven impact socket, is there a safe, uncomplicated technique for removing the nut?
And when I put a new nut back on and torque it up fully (200Nm IIRC), is it dangerous to not bother to lock the sleeve into the notch (making it easier to remove next time).
Any help much appreciated.
GJD
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You need a narrow flat bladed cold chisel, shaped like a screwdriver blade. Use it in axial alignment with the stub axle (with a medium weight hammer) to force the "peening" out of the notch. Then you'll get it off with an ordinary socket set.
Ian Cook
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This is a common method of locking these nuts and, you have to "lift" the indented section of the sleeve, just a little, to get the nut to undo. A small chisel, or tapered wedge, will do it. The nut will be tight but, a normal spanner or socket will shift it, possibly after a gentle "shock" with a chisel.
It would be very careless, and dangerous, not to reform the indent when the nut is re-fitted as, without it, there is nothing else to stop the nut unwinding (and they do)
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Try hammering an old screwdriver if you haven't got a suitable size cold chisel. It will never screw screws again, but you will still be able to use it on the hub nut again next time.
My hubs come off for inspection every 2 years or 12,000 miles. So I have two dodgy recommendations, which others may take me up on:
1. Only restake the nut lightly, to about half the possible amount (making sure the pressed in bit presses against the notch on the side which prevents unscrewing). When you come to take the nut off again next time, your socket and torque wrench will be strong enough to force the nut off without bothering releasing the staking - stand on the end of the torque wrench. The axle is strong enough to stand this treatment without being marked.
2. I reuse the nuts twice before discarding, because they have only been lightly staked (second use more heavily staked the first).
Ian
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Amendment to dodgy recommendation number 2.
2. I reuse the nuts once (total usage = twice) ....
Ian
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Good advice Ian. I have, previously, "harped on" about the old days with the Ford side valves, ie, E93A type etc. I seem to remember that there was no great system of locking on these nuts but, the drums fitted directly onto a taper on the half shaft. If a half shaft broke (quite common in those days) the wheel, hub and halfshaft just slid outwards when you took the next corner. Quite alarming really but because the shackle end of the transverse spring,complete with brake backplate, was bumping along the tarmac, the "ride" did not alter much and it was a little while before you noticed.
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