Wheel bearing adjusting nut stuck???????

[bronco1017]

I have a 73 and had a squeaking noise coming from the passenger side front wheel. I figured I could make it to and from the local car show last night. I didn't. I got the hub mostly apart but I can't budge the adjusting nut. I sprayed it with penetrating spray and am hoping it comes off tomorrow. The outer nut was hand loose. Any suggestions on how to get it out? Thanks in advance.

 

[langester]

This is probably a stupid question, but did you take the washer out thats between the 2 nuts? Sorry but I had to ask I had a buddy make the same mistake so I always ask.

 

[hucklburry rev2]

I find those paint can openers that the box stores give you are great at getting that washer off, and even stuck locking hub parts.

 

[bax]

This is probably a stupid question, but did you take the washer out thats between the 2 nuts? Sorry but I had to ask I had a buddy make the same mistake so I always ask.

This Im thinking this too

 

[bronco1017]

First timer for me but I did already take the washer out. It looks like the bearing got pretty hot.

 

[bax]

Get the good socket and the 3' breaker bar.

 

[garberz]

Good socket..........................Bad socket

 

[Attac]

Good socket..........................Bad socket

garberz who carries these. I have busted a fair share of the bad ones over the years. (along with my elbow on the fenderwell once when one of them busted on me)
Chuck

 

[JSmall]

garberz who carries these. I have busted a fair share of the bad ones over the years. (along with my elbow on the fenderwell once when one of them busted on me)
Chuck

Google "powerbuilt 648477". Amazon and Home Depot came up, but I'm sure you can get it local.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have put an impact wrench on that socket more than once in my life.
With good results. Much easier to keep the socket square to the nut.

 

[Steve83]

The lipped spanner is better for typical WB adjusting nuts; the exposed one is required for self-locking WB adjusting nuts. But I've used the exposed spanner on both types with good results.



If the nut is really seized onto the spindle, you may have to crack it with an air hammer & a point chisel. But that's a LAST resort - don't try it unless you're sure nothing else will work.

 

[garberz]

garberz who carries these. I have busted a fair share of the bad ones over the years. (along with my elbow on the fenderwell once when one of them busted on me)
Chuck

I've found them at my local Auto Zone, here in Socal.

Mark

 

[savage]

I see sears has then http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-4-lug...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3 ,and napa http://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/NCZ2782023/NCZ2782023 I see autozone has the knuckle busting shocket http://www.autozone.com/ratchets-so...g-4wd-axle-spindle-locknut-wrench/516516_0_0/ and olriely http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...keyword=spindle+nut+socket+#compatibilityTab_

 

[DirtDonk]

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/s?keyword=hub+nut+socket

Just throwing that out there whenever you can't fine one you like locally. Or are ordering stuff from us anyway, and just want to get one for future use.

Not wearing my salesman's cap today, but just had to throw that out there anyway!
You know... In the spirit of shameless plugs on the internet

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

It's very possible too bronco1017, that you're going to need a new spindle.
If it's just a little jammed in place, you might be ok, but if it's truly buggered from not the heat, but from getting itself jammed outward by the weight of the vehicle, the threads on the spindle could be well and truly damaged.

Good thing the wheel was still on the truck in fact!
Good luck though. Hoping it's the former.

Paul

 

[CopperRanger]

I find those paint can openers that the box stores give you are great at getting that washer off, and even stuck locking hub parts.

This is a great idea, thanks

 

[ryan97]

And they same to be the same throughout the years. I have a "good one" that I bought for my '96 at OReilly, or I thought it was from my 96...

 

[DirtDonk]

Probably the same. There were the odd Broncos here and there in that range that had automatic locking hubs that used different nuts, but most were the same from '66 to '96.

Even though the threads on the spindles were the same, you would find some trucks like GM and Jeep and Dodge that used 6-notch nuts rather than 4-notch ones. Others had 4-notch, but with a different spacing.
But at least through the Ford series they seemed to stay the same until you got into the F250 and larger trucks.

Probably some other variations in there as well, but lucky for us.

Paul

 

[bronco1017]

Ok so I got the nut off using my son's impact wrench. Took off the outer hub (brake part) and now I can't get the part off that covers the 4 wheel drive part. Suggestions? I can turn anything into a project.

 

[DirtDonk]

Not sure what you're describing. Can you add some more detail about the part you can't remove? Or a pic for good measure?
If you're talking about the machined spindle (the part the bearings ride one, and the axle shaft just barely sticks out of, it's just the 5 or 6 bolts (depending on style) and a lot of cussing to get it out.

Heavy on the cussing part, if it's never been apart before.
They sell slide-hammer pullers with attachments just for this type of job. But there are other tricks to try first, that lots of members here have tried. Hopefully some of them will pipe in with what worked for them.
But spraying with penetrant and sometimes a little heat added come to mind.

Paul