Stupid PO Tricks - Rear axle nut was loose...

[mikepellegrini]

I went to get my black car aligned a little while ago - I'd just replaced a tie rod - and the alignment guy told me he couldn't align it because one of the back wheels was wobbling. He showed me - at least 1-2" of play.

I was really surprised because there hadn't been any indications - no bad bearing noise, and it drove fine.

I got the parts a couple days ago and decided to see if I could get the wheel nut off tonight. After taking the cotter pin out, I tried a 36mm socket on for size. I just fitted it on with my hand and was turning it to see if it was the right size - and the stupid bolt was loose! Hand tight - a nut that's s'posed to be torqued to 350 Ft Lbs!

I've been driving this car for four years with an axle nut that was hand tight?

I wonder if this could have damaged the spindle? I guess I'll find out when I take it apart this weekend. I'll admit there's an urge to just torque it down properly and call it good, but I've got the parts and I am interested to find out if anything was damaged.

And then when I've finished this one, I'm gonna pull off the other wheel and check the torque on that.

[944 Ecology]

Hi, Mike,

It's not uncommon for the spindle to stretch, resulting in that nut getting loose. Check the spacers for the rear wheel bearings for wear also.

[ernie9944]

Mike you should take the habit off checking them at least once a year like I do this is something most of us don't bother with but we should.

[mikepellegrini]

Thanks, I guess I will put them on my list for annual checking.

George - you're talking about the "spacer tube" -E 113 501 243? Do you have a min permissable wear spec on that? The PET doesn't list the dimensions. Or are you talking about unusual wear? Elongation, out-of-round, etc?

I'm guessing the spacer is a VW part if I need new ones? That would make things simpler...

And if indeed the spindle has stretched, is that okay - just a matter of tightening the axle nut farther, or would it need to be replaced?

[Grandad#3]

Hi Mike, Since you mentioned removing the cotter pin from the nut, I take it is on your 83 n/a. That nut is to be torqued to 258 ft. lbs. + 50 ft. lbs. The plus 50 is only there to align the axle stub hole with the slot in the nut so the cotter pin can be installed. You can always tighten but never back off to align the holes for the cotter pin. On your 86 the rear axle nut is a self locking nut (one time use) and is torqued to 365 ft lbs. as per the WSM.

Cheers,
Larry

[Rasta Monsta]

I would skip the wheel bearing check and go straight to "toss."

[mikepellegrini]

I would skip the wheel bearing check and go straight to "toss."

i may. The bearing kits only cost $59 - quite a deal. I guess to some extent, it depends how much hassle it is. I've been really busy - i re-did the control arms on my red car twice in the past month (ended up withe the used CAs with solid bushings). Then i just rebuilt the control arms in my black car. Now the wheel bearing - i haven't even had time to use the new fender roller tool...

[Rasta Monsta]

My concern is, with the hub moving around like that, the bearings were likely subjected to loading vectors outside their design.

[mikepellegrini]

I've got it all apart except the inside bearing; I pulled the outside bearing off with my finger. Same with the stub axle - it just pulled easily out.

The bearings apprear to be in good shape. Perhaps it really wan't torqued properly to begin with - as opposed to the spindle enlongating?

I hope the control arm isn't damaged - everything was so loose, it makes you wonder.

back at it...

[Rasta Monsta]

I have spare trailing arms if needed.

[mikepellegrini]

Thanks, Rasta. I'm hoping it will be okay.

I got it about 90% togeather and I'll finish it tomorrow. It feels good. There is a tiny bit of play in the spindle but I'm hoping that will go away when I torque it down.

[mikepellegrini]

Done. That wasn't too bad.

Now off to get it aligned on Tuesday, then I can drive it again!

It's got:

• New Front Control arm bushings
• New Ball joints
• New driver's side tie rod
• New left rear wheel bearing
  
• New motor Mounts

All in the last couple weeks. I been busy!