2004 Silverado spindle nut

[phwe9774]

I am trying to replace the front passenger wheel hub assembly (which I've done before with no issue) and it has become the bane of my existence. After I got the spindle nut broke loose, it got the end of the spindle and froze up solid. I've put an impact on it, a 1/2" ratchet with a 3 foot cheater, nothing. Heated it up, nothing. Now it won't tighten back down to take it to a shop.

 

Any ideas how to get it off? Or should I just accept the fact I'm going to have to replace the axle?

 

Thanks in advance

 

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[06pirate]

The nut has probably galled onto the axle threads. You might be able to move it if you can split the nut and relieve the pressure on the threads. If you have a high speed tool like a small air grinder with a cut-off wheel that should work (even a Dremel tool but it might take awhile) to slit it, or even a hacksaw which will be slow and aggravating. Cut the nut as deeply as you can wthout hiting the axle threds, and finish it off with a cold chisel into the slit, should cause it to crack. If it is really galled heavily it still may not come loose without some additional heating. If it does, you may still have to touch up the axle threads with a thread file or rethreading die. Hopefully the axle threads will be in good enough condition to hold full torque with new nut.

 

There is also a toll called a nut splitter that you can buy or perhaps rent from local auto parts store which is designed to do this same thing.

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck.