Torquing axles....

Bassman/NZ

Bassman/NZ

Well-known member
I torqued my rear axle nuts up to 200lbs plus a tad more to line up the splitpin holes. Man... anything after 150lbs is real scary! Had visions of threads stripping and the torque wrench slamming my knuckles into the concrete floor.... :o All went OK, but sure is scary!
 
I checked the rear axle nut torque a lot, seemed to loosen up some as I drove the car... still have yet to put in cotters... Karl
 
When you torque those nuts; do you have both rear wheels on the ground with the full weight of the car on them? If not, how do you do it? Seems to me if the weight of the car is on the wheels then the hub can't move easily but if it's not then the wheels turn. Thanks,

Rich
 
Rich/Alabama said:
When you torque those nuts; do you have both rear wheels on the ground with the full weight of the car on them? If not, how do you do it? Seems to me if the weight of the car is on the wheels then the hub can't move easily but if it's not then the wheels turn. Thanks,

Rich
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Just torque them with the wheels on the ground. Hub movement is not an issue as 200 ftlbs will easily overcome the weight of the vehicle. Besides, those hubs should tighten up with full contact way before you reach full torque.

Bringing me to my next point...

Karl Wolf, it sounds like maybe your hubs need lapped to the axles? I do it with every banjo rear until there's perfect contact patch on the taper. Never had one come loose yet.
 
Well, I just went out and torqued both axles and they were LOOSE! Freaked me out....I had visions of stripped keys on the road between here and Tampa. They're good and tight now but I'll be checking them often from now on. Thanks again for the advice,

Rich
 
Bassman/NZ said:
I torqued my rear axle nuts up to 200lbs plus a tad more to line up the splitpin holes. Man... anything after 150lbs is real scary! Had visions of threads stripping and the torque wrench slamming my knuckles into the concrete floor.... :o All went OK, but sure is scary!
Click to expand...

Sure is scary. I stop at 175 foot pounds. It would be neat to be able to see the strain lines generated by 200 foot pounds. I think there is a machine that can take a picture. Sort of like an X-ray.
 
I agree that kind of torque is a bit scary and feels mushy. I used a breaker bar with a mark where my wieght would make 200 to 210 Lb-Ft. Stood on the bar 'til it didn't move. Did the first torque then ran the truck about 50 miles. retorqued and installed the cotters. I am using the Speedway safety clips, just in case.
 
You also want to file off any nicks and clean the axle and inside of the tapper with solvent. You want a good dry fit, the tight dry fit drives the axle, the key also wedges it. G.M.
 
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