2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What's the secret to breaking the hub nut loose?

[CCiatteo]

I figured I try and get a head start on my front brake job. So I get the truck up in the air and securely resting on a set of 6 ton stands. Get the wheels off, the brakes caliper out of the way, remove the cotter pin and then I hit a major wall. The hub nut. :{



I bought a 3/4" breaker bar, 1-11/16" socket and went at it. I locked my gorilla bar in between the wheel studs and let is rotate into the ground, then tried with all I got (6'1" 240lbs) to break the hub nut loose. No luck, not even close. I tried a cheater bar, I even tried using the jack and that yielded no results. Admittedly, I did kinda chicken out on using the jack. I was afraid something might snap, the breaker bar was under lots of tension. So now I am soaking them overnight.



Any ideas. I have air in my garage, but no guns big enough to break this thing loose. Is there any possibility of doing damage to axles, ujoints etc putting so much force to break this thing loose? The manual says to tighten to 175ft/lbs, but wow that thing is tight.



BTW this in on the passenger side. Driver side is still untouched, and the book says that side may be a left hand thread.

 

[RDHamill]

as far I can ever recall, they are all right hand thread. Never saw or heard of a left handed one.

 

[Nschroeder]

Both right hand thread on my 99

 

[wcjp]

After an overnight soak of penetrating oil (not WD 40) use an Airgun. Should come right off. If airgun is not available bolt tires back on. Place tires on ground. Then use massive breaker bar with additional leverage. Be sure threads are clean when reinstalling.

 

[CCiatteo]

After an overnight soak of penetrating oil (not WD 40) use an Airgun. Should come right off. If airgun is not available bolt tires back on. Place tires on ground. Then use massive breaker bar with additional leverage. Be sure threads are clean when reinstalling.

This is gonna be my plan. I've been spraying them with PB Blaster and when I get home from work I'm gonna give it one more shot with the breaker bar. If that fails, then I'll invest in a good 3/4" gun and just add it to the tool chest.



The rear pinion seal is on my list of things to do, so the 3/4" gun probably isn't a bad idea.



Thanks

 

[CCiatteo]

as far I can ever recall, they are all right hand thread. Never saw or heard of a left handed one.

Both right hand thread on my 99

Thanks. I read the left hand warning in the Hayes Manual. But these things are soooo tight you'd never know if you were going the wrong way.

 

[n7gxz]

Here's a link to a write up I did when I changed the seals on my 2001. The first part will cover your issue about getting the nut off.



Procedure_to_change_the_axle_seals_on_the_front_axle_on_a_2001



Kevin

 

[CCiatteo]

Here's a link to a write up I did when I changed the seals on my 2001. The first part will cover your issue about getting the nut off.



Procedure_to_change_the_axle_seals_on_the_front_axle_on_a_2001



Kevin

Thank you Kevin... . worked like a charm and saved me hundreds on buying a 3/4 gun that I really don't have a use for outside of this particular job. And that's a nice write up on the the inner seals. I'm sure my truck can't be too much different.



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