Drive Axle Nut - BMW Forum

CuriousMustangGuy · 03-24-2005, 04:45 PM

Hey guys I'm trying to change my rear wheel bearing today it got so bad that the left rear wheel locked up on me. good thing I was just pulling into a parking lot. Anyway I'm trying to get off the drive axle nut and it's huge anyone know the socket size so I don't buy 4 differnt ones?

draculia · 03-25-2005, 04:18 AM

32mm i believe

CuriousMustangGuy · 03-25-2005, 04:56 PM

Thanks, I'm having the hardest time getting this thing off, is it reverse threads?

draculia · 03-26-2005, 10:29 PM

nope. i used a breaker bar and it came right off. there should be a locking plate in there that needs to be removed before you can loosen it

CuriousMustangGuy · 03-27-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by draculia@Mar 26 2005, 11:29 PM
nope. i used a breaker bar and it came right off. there should be a locking plate in there that needs to be removed before you can loosen it

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haha! I think the locking plate and the nut forged together. The cars body has 230,000 miles on it, and I don't think this nut has ever came off before. I'm going to get it welded off next week HAHA!

ghead

e30fanm3 · 03-28-2005, 05:56 PM

welded off? That happens from time to time especially if its the original bearing

BMWJNKY · 03-29-2005, 10:53 PM

It might be a 36mm. Get yourself a big 1/2" drive breaker bar and go at it. Other than having a good 1/2" impact that is about the only way to get it loose.

CuriousMustangGuy · 04-10-2005, 08:23 AM

Well before I go welding this nut off I'm probably going to need one of those re-threader deals what is that called? Or maybe I can buy that part itself and if I can what the hell is that part called?

nukeduster · 04-11-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CuriousMustangGuy@Apr 10 2005, 05:23 AM
Well before I go welding this nut off I'm probably going to need one of those re-threader deals what is that called? Or maybe I can buy that part itself and if I can what the hell is that part called?

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from the factory its on there @ 220ftlbs. that was 15+ years ago. needless to say i had to stand on the breaker bar (i weigh 210lbs) before mine came off.

when i removed mine off my 89 bmw it was a 36mm. could be different on different years if they have ABS, but to my knowledge they are all 36.

if needs be, what you are looking for is a "die" thread cutter.

CuriousMustangGuy · 04-12-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nukeduster+Apr 11 2005, 05:43 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nukeduster @ Apr 11 2005, 05:43 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-CuriousMustangGuy@Apr 10 2005, 05:23 AM
Well before I go welding this nut off I'm probably going to need one of those re-threader deals what is that called?* Or maybe I can buy that part itself and if I can what the hell is that part called?

[snapback]329396[/snapback]

from the factory its on there @ 220ftlbs. that was 15+ years ago. needless to say i had to stand on the breaker bar (i weigh 210lbs) before mine came off.

when i removed mine off my 89 bmw it was a 36mm. could be different on different years if they have ABS, but to my knowledge they are all 36.

if needs be, what you are looking for is a "die" thread cutter.

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[/b][/quote]

thanks man, now if I use the die, will the same size nut fit? I like to ask all the questions before I go tearing up stuff.

CuriousMustangGuy · 04-13-2005, 04:35 PM

Bump: someone please help the cars been in the driveway now for about 2 weeks. Before I act I know someone out there had to have used a die before, please just let me know if the same size nut will fit back on.

nukeduster · 04-13-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CuriousMustangGuy@Apr 13 2005, 01:35 PM
Bump: someone please help the cars been in the driveway now for about 2 weeks. Before I act I know someone out there had to have used a die before, please just let me know if the same size nut will fit back on.

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depends on how bad you screw up the threads
if they arent totally ruined you just use the die to chase the threads just like you do a tap before re-installing important bolts, but if they are totally gone, honestly, i dont know what you'd do

start looking for a new rear hub mount (is that bolt part of the rear trailing arm? god I cant think right now) at a junk yard.

e30fanm3 · 04-13-2005, 05:58 PM

have you used a breaker bar on it? did you bend the tab back?

you shouldnt have to cut it off

CuriousMustangGuy · 04-13-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Apr 13 2005, 05:58 PM
have you used a breaker bar on it? did you bend the tab back?

you shouldnt have to cut it off

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Well here's the deal. Two weeks ago when I went to get the nut off I used a Haynes manule which said nothing about a lock plate for the 3 series so I went ahead and started to try and get the nut off rounding off the edges. Then without using my head I started to chisle it off. This made things worse and if I had a camera I would show you how f-ed up it is. Now this is where I'm stuck I could have it welded off but at the risk of something behind it warped or something because of the heat, or well I dono. any ideas??? I was going to drive it slowly to a shop that works on imports, but in my neiborhood out of that wheel smoke started comming out. I stopped and it smelled like the breaks, so now it looks like I have another problem on my hands. This cars starting to make me mad

CuriousMustangGuy · 04-19-2005, 01:31 PM

ghead

ghead well I had it towed yesterday and now they say I need the whole lower control arm because it fell apart when they took it off. I just ordered one from Vines BMW whole sale for $100 not to bad I guess. Hopefully I'll be driving her at the end of the week.