Arthur,

So lets assume you have measured the torque as 12 inch/lbs, now what?

How do you put it back? This is terribly confusing!

According to my mercedes manual [Offcial Mercedes manual] is says tighten to 180Nm. If that can't be attained a new crush washer is required?

Sooo, why not just crank it to that number? Or, Are you saying that on the way to tightening the nut to 180 Nm, it shouldn't take more then the 12 inch/lbs to turn the pinion, the original example measurement. In other words, if after tightening to 180Nm the inch/lb reading now shows 25 inch/lbs to turn the axle, you tightened to much? Does that make sense?
I'm probably repeating what you have all ready said.

If I can get it off, nobody has given me any suggestions how. My nut is easy to put back where it was before because, the end of the nut is flush with the small protuding pinion shaft sticking out. Some people have said count the number of threads to put back, mine has no threads showing.

In an other note, if you decide to put new nut back on, guess what, Mercedes don't have the original style, the have gone to a "splined" nut versus the four prong style. Thats another tool you have to purchase. I purchased a four prong tool that's readily available on the internet. I broke the 1st one trying to get the @#$%^ thing off.

What about the impact wrench for removal???

Whats the scoop here.

Gavinbr