Rear axle nut torque

[Old Henry]

I just torqued the axle nut on my rear axle to 200 ft/lbs and the cotter pin hole in the axle landed smack dab in the middle between two slots on the nut. The nut won't tighten any further (I set the torque wrench to 250 ft/lbs just to try to nudge it a little further but won't budge). Backing the nut off to where the cotter pin can be installed drops the torque to 100 ft/lbs.

What to do?

[ford38v8]

Use a cheater bar to get it further, it will move. You never want to back it off for the cotter pin.

[KiWinUS]

A 180 grit da. Sticky paper on flat surface. Sand contact surface wash off blow dry and try again.

[Old Henry]

I just saw where Mart, back in 2020, recommended Philidas brand aircraft locking nuts (https://philidas.com/wp-content/uplo...nut-scaled.jpg) instead of the castellated nuts Ford uses to get the nut adequately tight and hold without a cotter pin.

Anyone else tried that? Looks like a good idea.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

A 180 grit da. Sticky paper on flat surface. Sand contact surface wash off blow dry and try again.

I like that. Seems I've heard that before but my memory isn't as sharp anymore!
(To be clear, the sanding is to be done on the backside of the nut.)

[Old Henry]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Got it.

Went down to the hardware store and got a couple of Grade 8 5/8" washers half as thick as the stock washer. Added them to the stack and got the hole lined up with the slots just fine at 250 ft/lbs of torque.

Thanks for you help.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

I just torqued the axle nut on my rear axle to 200 ft/lbs and the cotter pin hole in the axle landed smack dab in the middle between two slots on the nut. The nut won't tighten any further (I set the torque wrench to 250 ft/lbs just to try to nudge it a little further but won't budge). Backing the nut off to where the cotter pin can be installed drops the torque to 100 ft/lbs.

What to do?