|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-18-2018, 12:26 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Remote desert outpost
Posts: 46
|
Rear axle/hub nut torque
I am servicing the brakes and installing Snyder's shock brackets on my '28, and I have a question regarding the torque spec on the rear axle nut. It is 125 lb/ft per the Les Andrews book.
The right side was quite tight, and the hub was tough to pull. The left side was comparatively loose; the nut was just beyond finger tight and the hub came off almost by hand. There didn't seem to be any ill-effects driving it around like that, no damage or looseness at the taper. I did the right side about a month ago to rebuilt the wheel cylinder, and torqued it per specs. That seemed too tight for a nut with threads that size, and it didn't "feel right" to do it, like I was risking stripping the axle threads. I don't want to take them down that tight, can I just get away with 75-80 pounds instead? |
01-18-2018, 12:42 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,033
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
I don't have the spec handy (search archives) but I believe I remember it being over 200 ft-lbs. The hub is supposed to be tough to pull even with the correct puller. The KR Wilson puller is generally touted to be the best. The "ill effects" may be the start of a crack that will at some time in the future cause the axle to fail. When the axle fails (without any retaining clips/safety hubs) the hub, drum and wheel can come off of the car. It can go down hill rapidly from there depending upon where you area at the time. Considering the potential damage I would very strongly consider the retaining clips to hold the brake drums/hubs on after having run with the nut that loose. Am I an alarmist, probably? Can it happen, maybe? Would I risk it, definitely not?
You said "with a nut that size". Did someone turn the axle down to smaller size? I would use the correct hardened nuts on the axle maybe from Roy Nacewicz Parts, (734) 654-9450, fordbolts.com. They are not the bolts from "Home Depot". Charlie Stephens Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 01-18-2018 at 12:47 PM. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-18-2018, 12:47 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
That nut should be tightened to 100-125#.
|
01-18-2018, 12:47 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Quincy, CA.
Posts: 1,708
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Kustom Komet,
Make sure you have original castle nuts, they are special hard 5/8 castle nuts and will take the torque without damaging the threads. I torque mine to 90 pounds and then just enough to line up the cotter hole. I have had no problem with lose rear drums. Good luck, Ron |
01-18-2018, 12:56 PM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South California
Posts: 6,188
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Quote:
Correct rear axle nut torque and WHY NECESSARY, has been discussed often here. Look up and read past threads to get lots of answers. Good luck Last edited by hardtimes; 01-18-2018 at 12:58 PM. Reason: ......... |
|
01-18-2018, 05:23 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Remote desert outpost
Posts: 46
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
But it happened, the right thread stripped at around 70 pounds. Nut fine, the threads were weak as I suspected. Phooey. |
01-18-2018, 05:55 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,033
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Quote:
Charlie Stephens Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 01-18-2018 at 06:05 PM. |
|
01-18-2018, 06:26 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Quincy, CA.
Posts: 1,708
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Kustom Komet,
Someone must have used a butter nut instead of a hardened original one, it screws up the threads. If you have a correct tap you might try dressing up the threads ? The threads are 5/8 x 18 . I am not a machinest so do not know if it will solve your problem ? Ron h |
01-18-2018, 06:49 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,342
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
I hand file one down to 9/16 using a drill hole guide as a template then retreaded. The car is still on the road. I take mine to 100 then line up the slots. If they are too far off I swap nuts or remove a tiny bit from the back of the nut.
All caps on this; DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE NUTS ARE TIGHT AFTER DRIVING SOME. CHANCES ARE THEY WILL BE A LITTLE LOOSE.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! |
01-18-2018, 06:51 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,033
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Quote:
Charlie Stephens |
|
01-18-2018, 07:45 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Ooopps, thats too bad. Some have had good luck rethreading to 9/16" as mentioned. That nut needs to be tight. The strain is taken by the taper, the strain should not be allowed to be taken by the key.
|
01-18-2018, 07:56 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,824
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
After brake overhaul and 1,000 miles key broke on drivers side. Both rear nuts were just hand tight. We now torque to 95-100 pounds.
I am now one of the check your axel nuts torque regularly guys. Enjoy. |
01-18-2018, 09:26 PM | #13 | |||||
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Remote desert outpost
Posts: 46
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Roger! |
|||||
01-18-2018, 09:27 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,131
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Years ago I bought a 28 roadster that had been restored by a "professional" restoration shop. The car was beautiful. When I got to checking things over I found that both rear axle nuts had been installed finger tight as would the front axle nuts.
My routine is to set my torque wrench to 90 ft. lbs. and tighten until it clicks, then look to see where the cotter pin hole is. If it is in the window, I leave it. If not, I tighten it more until it is. Tom Endy |
01-19-2018, 03:14 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South California
Posts: 6,188
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Hey Roger,
By your responses, I'm not sure that you get how the mechanism should work regarding the rear axle, the hub, the key and cotter pin. Check out the idea of LAPPING the axle to the hub...for a perfect fit. This is how a properly installed hub/axle relationship is formed, and how the hub stays fastened to the axle when torqued sufficiently. The key is not for holding the hub from turning, although it will do this duty for a short while , until something snaps if not torqued correctly. |
01-19-2018, 05:21 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,412
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
|
01-19-2018, 05:36 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Keystone Heights, FL
Posts: 647
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Are you saying that the axle nuts get a little loose after driving, even with the cotter pins installed?
No, the nut won't move but the hub will creep toward the differential until it finds a home. If allowed to run loose, it will wear the hub and key way. Check it at 50 mile intervals until the nut stops tightening while using proper torque settings.
__________________
I Love Anything That Turns Money Into Noise |
01-19-2018, 10:02 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,342
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Are you saying that the axle nuts get a little loose after driving, even with the cotter pins installed?
What Dollar Bill said^ We have had a number of car in the shop that I bet the nut was tight when put back together by the last person working on them but after a few or more miles driving, the nuts were easy to remove after the hub took it seat. Even a Model T at 20HP can still have the same issue.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! |
01-19-2018, 10:18 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Cincinnati OH
Posts: 418
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Is there a way to tighten each axle nut with the wheels off the car and it on jack stands?
__________________
1931 Murray Town Sedan. Black body with Apple Green pin stripe. 1923 Model T Touring with electric start. Low radiator Cincinnati, Ohio |
01-19-2018, 11:05 AM | #20 |
BANNED
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Coatesville, Pa
Posts: 719
|
Re: Rear axle/hub nut torque
Yes. Just put a crow bar between hub and lug to the floor and the hub will not turn.
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|