I am trying to replace the Lower Ball Joint on my 1989 Honda Accord LX. I have to remove the steering knuckle, and to remove it, I have to remove the spindle nut.

The nut is being really stubborn, or there is something Chilton is not telling me like... it's reverse threaded.

Can someone give me some advice on how to get the spindle nut off?

Thanks!

Steve

 

Those things are on tight...Have someone step (stand) on the brake pedal and use 1/2inch to 3/4 inch breaker bar...

 

Thanks! I'll let you know how it works!

 

the cheater pipes like the one picture above are the key to your success maing.

 

OK. I had my wife step on the break while I used the only "bar" I could find in the garage... a 6' aluminum pipe....

I bent the pipe.

I guess I need to go to the hardware store and get a steel pipe to use as a breaker bar?

 

yeah dude steel

i hope your using a breaker bar and not a ratchet, god knows how many ratchets have been broken in this fashion

 

? I am using a wratchet... craftsman 1 1/4 inch.

 

invest in a impact wrench best $40 I ever spent with another $35 for shallow and deep sockets for it

 

i know people who use/break impact wrenches doing this to no avail, dont waste the money especially on an impact wrench that cheap

if you are using a 1-1/4" drive wrench you should be fine just get the steel pipe,

im certian you will need an excess of 800+ lbft to break it loose, oh and btw did you de-stake the nut and spray with wd-40?

 

What I'm hearing is that I can use my Sears Craftsman ratchet with the 1 1/4 socket with a steel pipe and that should do it?

I did spray it with WD40 last night and this morning, and yes, I did open up the crimps.

I understand (according to the manual) that I will need to replace these nuts? I cannot use the same one?

(right now I am waiting for the Mrs. to return from the school t-giving party with the other vehicle, so that I can go get a steel pipe. Anyone been in this predicament before?

 

you will need a breaker bar and long pipe, with a lot of muscle.

 

whoa dude, please make sence you said 1-1/4" drive ratchet, not socket, the axle nuts are 36mm(which is metric) not 1-1/4"(SAE)

good

yes

no

when putting on tnew nuts lube the threads in anti-seize so the next time you have to take them off it wont be so laborous


maybe the first time i changed my brake rotors, but i learned from that


[Modified by SOHCArchangel, 11:09 AM 11/27/2002]

 

Axle nut is actually 32mm (6 point). It definitely helps if you're using a large (long handle) breaker bar to begin with (mine is 1.5 feet long, 1/2 in drive -- works great)

Good luck...those things are a bitch

 

in 5th gen's, which Misa is refering to, it's 36mm, might be different for earlier models

 

Definitely use a breaker bar and yes that steel pipe was bought for the specific purpose of removing those axle nuts. A 1/2 inch ratchet will probably break. Gotta love that crafstman warranty. The first time I did my brakes, I broke several tools. I got to know the people at the Sears hardware store though...


P.S. I wouldn't advise heating the nuts with a torch, I fried the grease out of my wheel bearings...

 

id say about 3, but dont ask me how i know