Ok so im trying to change the u-joints on my front axle, but i cannot get the axle nut to break loose. ive tried an impact wrench, ive tried using a jack to break it loose. do you guys have another idea to beak it loose?

 

Stupid question. Did you remove the cotter pin.

 

Oops. Wrong punctuation. (?)

 

yup. its almost like its been heated up to much or way to tight. the impact wrench i used is rated for 220 ft lbs

 

An option. Put the jeep in 4lo and make sure the 4wd is engaged. Make sure vehicle is in park and on the ground. Use a 1/2 drive breaker bar and use some elbow grease. Make sure to use some penetrating oil to help too!

 

Btw. I believe the torque spec is 175 or 180 foot pounds. In a perfect world the electric impact wrench ( that is what I am assuming that you are using) is not going to provide enough oomph to loosen the nut.

 

I borrowed a mini spare and used mine to install in place of the full sized wheels so I could fit the socket on the nut. With the vehicle resting on the spare wheels/tires, turned the wheel hard left. Used a 3/4 drive breaker bar and socket with a 4 foot pipe cheater bar over the breaker bar. I had to stand on the very end end of the 4 foot pipe to get the left nut loose and stand in the middle of the pipe to get the right nut loose. Those buggers were on tight.

Used the spares to reinstall/torque the nuts.

 

Close! You can use an exclamation point or question mark just like you might a period. Period!


Heating the nut will make it bigger, and loosen it's grip on the shaft. A good "whack", a shock-wave going through that while it's being torqued may well help crack it free. PB blaster, Kroil, diesel, kerosene, pee or WD 40, even engine oil or tyranny fluid should help. Heat works wonders. Slowly pouring a pot of boiling water over it might even help get it hot.

 

On both my XJ's, the first time I have to take the axle nut off, I used my 3/4" ratchet and had to stand on the bar to get them broke loose. Never had to do that since. They were just rusted on there, I guess.