Rear Axle Bolts - How do you get these things off!?

[deviantek]

Hey guys,

Having a nightmare of a time trying to loosen up the rear axle bolts. I've got a breaker bar on it puting all the force I can and still no go. I took the Front Axles off no problem, but these rears are a beast.

Is there some sorta trick I should know for getting these things off? Not have the e-brake on? Axle Threading goes the opposite direction? Put some sort of anti-rust liquid on it to loosen it up maybe? In the meantime, the car sits awaiting judgment.

Thanks

 

[3zercrowd]

DOUBLE the length, HALF the effort

Chuck a big cheater bar over the end of the breaker bar and use them guns

Penetrant is always good too....

 

[andy's-galant]

I can unbolt any screw or nut, if they dont come of they break of. No b/s..
have you tryed to hammer the bolt first and then try unloosening it, sometimes a good hit with the hammer could loosen it up a touch enough for you to in screw it.

 

[Liberoz]

Reason why your having such an issue is a case of the right tool for the right job

Answer is a rattle gun...end of story

 

[BMGTZ]

I use a 3/4 drive breaker bar and 5 feet of steel water pipe that slips over the end of the breaker bar. Only once has this required great effort to use, and that time the hole hub and trailing arm ended up at the scrap metal yard. Whilst the nut came off in the end, the shaft wouldnt come out of the hub even when I put it in a press.

 

[Liberoz]

pays to buy even a elcheapo compressor speed ratchet and a 1/2' rattle gun to complement the rest of tools you already have and make working on cars alot quicker less heartache and most of all a breeze to work on.

 

[deviantek]

I use a 3/4 drive breaker bar and 5 feet of steel water pipe that slips over the end of the breaker bar. Only once has this required great effort to use, and that time the hole hub and trailing arm ended up at the scrap metal yard. Whilst the nut came off in the end, the shaft wouldnt come out of the hub even when I put it in a press.

Haha, ok the bigger steel pipe did the job .

However, as you mentioend the shaft not coming out of the hub.... How in the hell do I pull the hub from the driveshaft? It seems so locked in that it didn't need the axle bolt in the first place.... man...what a nightmare, lol.

 

[EVO-00X]

Hey man, the easiest way I find undoing the big bolts like that is to put a big breaker bar on it and hold it on and either get a mate (or yourself) to position themselves on the ground with their shoe on it and push. The force and strength in your leg muscles far exceed the pulling force in your arm muscles and I find it ALWAYS does the trick ;D

 

[BMGTZ]

does the shaft move in the splines a little bit back and forth ?

If yes then all is well...just keep unbolting the arms from the hub starting with the top one until you can pull the hub far enough down for the shaft to just clear.... then pull the shaft sideways and its out.
if no ...your in the crap and will need a brass hammer to attempt to shock the shaft free by screwing the nut back on a little and whacking it inwards

 

[deviantek]

does the shaft move in the splines a little bit back and forth ?

If yes then all is well...just keep unbolting the arms from the hub starting with the top one until you can pull the hub far enough down for the shaft to just clear.... then pull the shaft sideways and its out.
if no ...your in the crap and will need a brass hammer to attempt to shock the shaft free by screwing the nut back on a little and whacking it inwards

Ah shit, I may be in the crap then.... to be continued...