87 300D Axle Nut Removal ??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tpawlik · #1 09-10-2010, 07:59 PM

I'm trying to replace my halfshafts. I was able to remove the axle nut on the first with an impact gun. The other one is not giving up easily. I have the subframe sitting on my workbench with the axle trapped in my vise. I pried up the little indent that locks the nut to the shaft. I have PB Blasted it, heated it and I cannot budge it with an 18" breaker bar. I am turning, or trying to, turn the nut counterclockwise. I'm looking for a piece of pipe for more leverage. Maybe I could heat the nut some more, it wasn't glowing!
Any other ideas?

Billybob · #2 09-10-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpawlik

I'm trying to replace my halfshafts. I was able to remove the axle nut on the first with an impact gun. The other one is not giving up easily. I have the subframe sitting on my workbench with the axle trapped in my vise. I pried up the little indent that locks the nut to the shaft. I have PB Blasted it, heated it and I cannot budge it with an 18" breaker bar. I am turning, or trying to, turn the nut counterclockwise. I'm looking for a piece of pipe for more leverage. Maybe I could heat the nut some more, it wasn't glowing!
Any other ideas?

Usually heating it enough where you can't touch your finger to it is enough to soften the blue thread lock on it, most of the time you can get it off with an impact without even touching the indent!

I'd try heat again and if that doesn't work or more leverage you can always drill a couple small holes inwards from the periphery and crack it off with a chisel and hammer.

Tpawlik · #3 09-10-2010, 08:45 PM

I hadn't unpacked a new axle until just now. I see that it came with a new nut. Your idea of drilling some holes in the nut and beating on it with a chisel would really make me happy right about now!!! In the morning I will heat it a little longer and if that doesn't work it's game on with the drill and chisel.
Thanks.

Tpawlik · #4 09-13-2010, 01:38 PM

BillyBob, I followed your advice and drilled a 3/16" hole the axle nut and cracked the base of it with a chisel. It still took a lot of torque to break the nut free. Thanks for the tip. I spent hours wrestling with that damn nut. I can't help but think there is an auto worker somewhere in Germany still laughing about the nut he installed that had to have 200# of torque on it.
After that, I had the first axle bolted to the differential and realized that the new one had a gear pressed on the opposite end for the ASD, that was bound against the backing plate when I tightened the axle nut. So, out again to pop the gear off and back in. I also changed the subframe bushings, diff. bushings, sway bar links and LCA's to get the rear end to follow the front end. Fortunately, getting the subframe back in the car went pretty well.
Looking forward to a trip down the interstate to see if my hard work pays off.