2 3/8 Dana 44 spindle hub tool

[Brewmover]

I just purchased a hub tool from oriellys that is 2 3/8 with four prongs. It does not seem to fit the spindle nut. Did I buy the wron size? It comes close but will not seat properly to apply torque to the nut.

 

[bronconut73]

If the nuts were boogered up in the past from people using a hammer and screw driver to loosen or tighten them the tabs may not fit the nut slots well.
But...There is one that doesn't fit ours....I think it is for 'Yotas or Dana 60's, I guess it could be that too....

 

[Brewmover]

Yep boogered up. I think I will replace these when I reassemble the axles.

 

[Brewmover]

Now that I have one of the nuts free I can test fit the socket to the nut. It does fit but is very snug making it difficult to seat by hand and in the hub it is even more so. Should I file the teeth a little to give me a little tolerance when seating the tool?

 

[bax]

sure you can do that. I cut all the teeth off one once. makes a great axle seal driver

 

[Apogee]

File the slots on the nuts and you should be good to go. If you have the socket without the alignment ring around the four prongs, I would recommend adding one. Machine up a little skirt for the socket and weld it (or press it) on...makes lining up with the nut so much easier when they're buried in grease and whatever else you might encounter on the trail. Some of the nicer sockets come this way.

 

[Prizefighter]

I bought a new hub tool at AutoZone two years ago and when I went to use it could not get it to fit no matter what I tried. I had a spare set of hubs I saved stored in a coffee can so I pulled the spindle nut out for a test fit and the prongs were off. Took it back and showed the manager that it was off and he swapped it out for me. A bit of a hassle but glad both sides on the hubs were able to be removed and it wasn't a bigger problem.

 

[bronconut73]

If you have to get new nuts the parts houses have them individually or as a kit with the washers and stuff. It's pretty cheap as I recall....