Any Ideals on removing ATV axle spindle nuts?

[OilPatch197]

1996 Suzuki Quad runner 2WD.

The rear axle bearings are wiggling, I need to get in there they probably need replaced. It is just like a 2WD cars front bearings, you remove the spindle nut and the hub slides off with bearings....

I tried a 4 ft cheater bar, soaking the spindle nuts in Penetrol 90.

These beefy spindle nuts are NOT BUDGING. I think I will have to cut off the spindle nuts.

What is the best way of doing this? Do I use a drill and drill out the nut and use a chisel to pop it off? What is the best way of doing this without F'ing the spindle threads?

 

[OilPatch197]

BUMP, response to a PM, the threads appear to be RH threads, on both sides, I'll double check.

 

[OilPatch197]

Um, Hello? Would a LARGE nut splitter work to get the nuts off? I am thinking of drilling several small holes through one of the slots in the spindle nut and crack it open with a chisel.

 

[Jspafford]

Um, Hello? Would a LARGE nut splitter work to get the nuts off? I am thinking of drilling several small holes through one of the slots in the spindle nut and crack it open with a chisel.

Since no one had replied I would maybe wait until tomorrow and call a Suzuki Dealer to ask them. No sense getting upset because we don't all know the answer.

 

[Downey]

get an impact, or hit the nut with a hammer to break some of the shit thats built up loss sometimes all it takes is a jolt and its off

 

[mud390]

If those are like the ones on a Honda 400ex, there is actually two nuts. That sounds wrong. Anyhow. One is reverse threaded against the other acting as a locking nut. The ones on my Honda where loctited from the factory and torqued to some ridiculously high torque. I used a big pipe wrench beating that with a 3 pound sledge. After a bunch of PB blaster and cursing, the first nut broke loose. The inner nut was a little easier to get loose. Don't forget to removed the chain, sprocket, and brake rotor so you can slide the axle out of the swing arm. Be gentle with it when you remove it because there should be some rubber seals with metal backing to prevent water from getting in the bearing carrier. If none of this makes sense or doesn't look the same as on your quad, just let me know and I'll try to help as best as I can.

Kris

 

[zukirider21]

i think hes talking about the nut that holds the hub on to the end of the axle.

if they are REALLY REALLY stuck, i'd use a cut off wheel or something like that to cut a small slot in the nut, and then spread it with an air chisel. try not to go into the axle threads too much, but if you do, rocky mountain mc sells an axle thread repair kit that should help clean things up. if there are burrs, wire brush the shit out of it, you DONT want to cross thread the nut!

good luck

 

[zukirider21]

If those are like the ones on a Honda 400ex, there is actually two nuts. That sounds wrong. Anyhow. One is reverse threaded against the other acting as a locking nut. The ones on my Honda where loctited from the factory and torqued to some ridiculously high torque. I used a big pipe wrench beating that with a 3 pound sledge. After a bunch of PB blaster and cursing, the first nut broke loose. The inner nut was a little easier to get loose. Don't forget to removed the chain, sprocket, and brake rotor so you can slide the axle out of the swing arm. Be gentle with it when you remove it because there should be some rubber seals with metal backing to prevent water from getting in the bearing carrier. If none of this makes sense or doesn't look the same as on your quad, just let me know and I'll try to help as best as I can.

Kris

it should be similar to your ex. but suzuki tends to do the two nut setup on both sides, with a shoulder on the axle that goes against the right bearing on the brake disc side. honda and kawasaki use splines with a circlip in them on the sprocket side, and two nuts on the other. also, he shouldnt need to remove the chain to do axle bearings (atleast not on a suzuki). just take off the left wheel and hub, two nuts, brake caliper, and slide the axle right out thru the sprocket with the chain still attached. then remove the carrier and replace the bearings and seals.