tips on undoing driveshaft nut
Turbo Mini Forums

I have just snapped a torque wrench (the longest wrench I had) trying to get the main nut at the end of the driveshaft off. Is there something I am doing wrong, they are not reverse thread or anything?
I think I am getting towards the limits of my strength (which may I add is greater than the strength of my tools)!

First off, using a torque wrench to remove nuts is a big no-no! They are precision instruments, and should only be used to tighten (unless you don't give a hang about the value, in which case you shouldn't be using a torque wrench anyway)...

Get a good breaker bar and extension pipe, if needed. The nuts are generally 100 lb/ft+ (I don't recall the spec), and do get tighter with use and can rust in place. You need some serious leverage to get them going. I don't recall them being reverse thread on one side or the other, but it's been a while since I've dealt with them, so someone else is bound to chime in.

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1967 Cooper 's' Turbo build @ www.drjing.com

they are normal thread. afaik the only reverse thread on the entire car is the rear hub nut on one side. if its a disc braked car, then they wil be done up ft, something like 180lbft iirc. i use a welded up ratchet and a bit of exhaust tubing or scaffold depending on whats laying around at the time. failing that i have a three foot breaker bar, but tbh that very rarely leaves my other car where it lives in the footwell in case of trouble (not car related!)....

get something reaaly strong ( i also have a 18" long spanner, very usefull, and very very strong, well, i havent managed to break it yet) that fits the hub nuts ie socket and solid bar or spanner as above, and then extend if necessary, then jump on the end of it!!!!

a windy gun will also do the same job, but with a lot less effort.

And on the 7th day........... God created turbochargers!

Give it a good soak over night with penetrating oil like WD40. Some times some heat with oxy set will help.

I have had 2 use a 6ft scaffold tude before on some hub nuts to loosen them so be prepared for the worst.

^ good idea, but i would use plus gas personally rather than wd40......

thought of one other option depending on where you live.... if you live near to a garage, it may be worth you going down there and getting them to loosen them with their windy gun, then tightening them back up by hand and driving slowly home..... have had to do this on my sisters micra....... stupid tight hub nuts!!!

And on the 7th day........... God created turbochargers!

Yeah plus gas is what I use at work, good stuff just thinking WD is easy stuff to get anywhere.

I second taking it to a garage save alot of sweating and swearing. Once it loosened and retighten should be dead easy to get off again.

When you put it back properly dont forget to put some copper anti seize paste on it and save yourself all this hassle next time round.

Windy gun is often needed.

give it a few duga duga's

Alex

AlexF

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1967 Cooper 's' Turbo build @ www.drjing.com

you gotta know what I mean

alex

AlexF

I have a six foot shaffolding pole.

I just get some kind person to lock the brakes and hold the steering wheel, then using my breaker bar - i put the pole over it and use massive leaverage!

have you had your wheatabix?

Team Racing

Have just returned from tool shop with 3 foot breaker bar. Have had wheatabix and ready to give it another go.
I know that the torque wrench is not ideal for undoing nuts but it is rated at 250Nm so I thought it would be upto the job.
Here goes thanks for the advice

The wheatabix did it! It took all 13 stone of me to crack it but it went. Strangely enough the other one was not nearly as difficult and they were both put together at the same time. Oh well cheers for the tips guys!
sam

i jsut drill down the low bit of the "castle" if there stubborn, but i weigh as much as a lightened toothpic so no good with a breaker bar

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

ive seen someone put the breaker bar on, roll the car untill it touchs the floor, then put it in the appropriate gear (1st or reverse) and use the engine to break the nut off.

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"