No Chiselers, Please...
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:49 pm
This point is obviously moot for regular contributors of this site. However, for CCKW newbies (like me), I think it warrants some attention.
One of the first special tools that you should really consider purchasing is the wheel bearing nut socket. I have seen them on e-pay, VoV, and other places for around $20 - $25. The use of hammers, chisels, punches, drifts, bar stock, screw drivers or other alternate means is really tantamount to butchery - especially when the correct tool is so readily available.
The person that previously serviced the rear wheel bearings on my truck unfortunately chose the chisel method. As if severely mangling the slots in the nuts was not bad enough, the chiseler also nicked the threads on the OD of the LR leading axle tube. This caused the outer nut to bottom out on this distorted area of the threads, not the spider washer/inner nut. The end result was that the nut/seal (banjo axle) sat too high, to the point where the metal seal carrier contacted the inner surface of the axle shaft flange. This not only ground off the seal, but also scored the inner surface of the axle shaft.
Fortunately, I have a friend with a lathe long enough to fit the axle shaft. After several passes, the scored area cleaned up so the axle should now seal OK.
A new seal was fitted into the nut, and a thread file was used to clean up the threads on the axle shaft, so everything now fits back together as it should.
A lot of extra work that could have been avoided by just using the correct tool.
Best Regards...
One of the first special tools that you should really consider purchasing is the wheel bearing nut socket. I have seen them on e-pay, VoV, and other places for around $20 - $25. The use of hammers, chisels, punches, drifts, bar stock, screw drivers or other alternate means is really tantamount to butchery - especially when the correct tool is so readily available.
The person that previously serviced the rear wheel bearings on my truck unfortunately chose the chisel method. As if severely mangling the slots in the nuts was not bad enough, the chiseler also nicked the threads on the OD of the LR leading axle tube. This caused the outer nut to bottom out on this distorted area of the threads, not the spider washer/inner nut. The end result was that the nut/seal (banjo axle) sat too high, to the point where the metal seal carrier contacted the inner surface of the axle shaft flange. This not only ground off the seal, but also scored the inner surface of the axle shaft.
Fortunately, I have a friend with a lathe long enough to fit the axle shaft. After several passes, the scored area cleaned up so the axle should now seal OK.
A new seal was fitted into the nut, and a thread file was used to clean up the threads on the axle shaft, so everything now fits back together as it should.
A lot of extra work that could have been avoided by just using the correct tool.
Best Regards...
That takes bubbafication (if that's a word) to a whole new level..