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Old 03-20-2018, 08:33 AM   #1
OL JENNY
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Default Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

I have changed an axle and am using a good original castle nut. My problem is that from a torque range of 90 to 125 it does not line up with the axle key hole. I do not have another nut to try and I am going to call Bert's this morning as some have said another nut may line up differently. At 125 it is close, but not close enough. My hubs are 3 year old cast iron hubs from Snyder's.
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Old 03-20-2018, 09:04 AM   #2
Ray64
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

use a flat surface and a piece of sandpaper and take a little off of the back side of the nut
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Old 03-20-2018, 09:39 AM   #3
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Are you sure your wrench is reading correctly.

I have never seen the space range you have referenced. Usually plus or minus 5 between holes on nut.
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Old 03-20-2018, 09:44 AM   #4
OL JENNY
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

WHN, I will try another wrench, but the holes on these original nuts are about 5/16 inch apart.
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Old 03-20-2018, 10:08 AM   #5
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Easy. Just as Ray said.

A piece of glass or other flat surface and some sandpaper. Remove some from the back of the nut or the washer. From what you say it won't take much.
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Old 03-20-2018, 10:16 AM   #6
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

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Remove a little from the nut or swap nuts. DO NOT FORGET to recheck the nut after driving a while. Things have a tendency to settle in. I generally start at 90-100 go up from from there, but if it is not lining up past 110-120 time to swap or file the nut.
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Old 03-20-2018, 10:19 AM   #7
Glen in Hillman MI
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Back the nut off some then bring back up around 115 and advance to aligened hole.
You will be good to go.
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Old 03-21-2018, 01:39 AM   #8
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

I have either put the nut in a lathe and trimmed it a litt or used a .015 thick valve spring shim to get the holes to line up. The shims are hardened and will take the torque.
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Old 03-21-2018, 02:21 AM   #9
Crankster
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Standard practice right out of the maintenance manual for a castle nut that will not line up within the specified torque range is to install a thin shim or shims (washer) as required.
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Old 03-22-2018, 11:12 AM   #10
Jim Brierley
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Or tighten it enough to align it, this is not rocket science!
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Old 03-22-2018, 11:22 AM   #11
OL JENNY
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Jim, that is easier said than done. At 125 ft pounds I had at least 1/3 space to move until the next slot. When, at least for me, I was at 125 it takes considerable increases to move much. I think I would have been up to 140 +/- to get there. I purchased three new nuts and one of them lined up at 100 and I left it there.
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Old 03-22-2018, 12:07 PM   #12
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

How about just torque the nut to your desired setting, and if the cotter key hole is nowhere close, drill a hole in line with the nut, but out at the end of the threads, so that the cotter key will just catch the nut by tapping the key into the slots. That way you won't weaken the axle.
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Old 03-22-2018, 01:15 PM   #13
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

Quote:
Originally Posted by OL JENNY View Post
I have changed an axle and am using a good original castle nut. My problem is that from a torque range of 90 to 125 it does not line up with the axle key hole. I do not have another nut to try and I am going to call Bert's this morning as some have said another nut may line up differently. At 125 it is close, but not close enough. My hubs are 3 year old cast iron hubs from Snyder's.






Don't make a problem where there ain't none !
As Jim B says, just run it up to that next hole and stick the cotter in place, easy. Not rocket science. When a guy had no 'torque wrench', and put a 'cheater' bar/pipe onto wrench, do you think that he stopped at 125/whatever ?


And, don't forget to recheck for tight/loose after running car a ways and from time to time. Not going to fail from tooo tight, but will fail from toloose.
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Old 03-23-2018, 06:28 PM   #14
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Default Re: Suggestions to get rear axle nut lined up with cotter key hole

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Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
Or tighten it enough to align it, this is not rocket science!
No it is not. He did ask what the correct way to proceed is in this particular situation. And it's right in the manual. No need to drill any holes or any weirdo stuff, just use a shim. Easy peasy. Now, if he just wants to reef it down and bust the torque limit all to hell, he can do that too but at least he knows.
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