Front axle nut...4 pieces?? - The Ford Focus Forum

**WuNgUn** · 11-02-2009, 07:40 PM

Replacing the front bearing on my '03 wagon...

The front axle nut had retaining tabs on two side...I bent them out of the way.
Got the trusty electric impact out and made short work of removing it, only to find it's like 4 seperate, really thin nuts!?
Is this right?

What's the proper way to reinstall these so they are at the proper torque?

I don't want the first or third nut to be at proper torque, for example, because then the axle shaft isn't getting the proper torque, right?

Or is this just a single use nut? Maybe I have to buy a new one from Ford (and it's a typical nut)?

Thanks

**dhardison** · 11-02-2009, 09:15 PM

The factory axle nuts are 'laminated', but in order to remove you're not supposed to remove the outer 'shell'. Those laminated nuts cause all sorts of issues with the threads on the axle. You can replace with another laminated nut but if it were me I'd replace with a 'SVT' axle nut which is a one-piece design with an integrated washer. Steve @ Tousley Ford can get you what you need. I torque my axle nuts to 275ft/lbs, but the factory spec is 316 NM (~233 ft/lbs) .

**TXFO** · 11-02-2009, 10:04 PM

tighten it as hard as your impact will go and then stake it with the retaining tabs.

**OmniFocus** · 11-02-2009, 11:41 PM

Once that has been dismantled, it is definitely toast. The threads won't line up.

...no biggie though, as dhardison mention, replace it with an SVT nut. Much better piece.

**WuNgUn** · 11-03-2009, 06:28 AM

So to remove the laminated nut in one piece, you need a special socket that fits over the 'tabs'?
SVT nut it'll be then!

Thanks guys!

**dhardison** · 11-03-2009, 07:20 AM

^^ Yes, the laminated nut comes off all as one piece (socket over the tabs/shell). With those laminated nuts sometimes the 'individual nuts' get out of alignment with each other and it boogers up the threads on the axle when you try to remove it as one piece. Only if that happens would I suggest bending back the tabs and removing each nut individually. Once you've bent back the tabs and separated the individual nuts, the whole piece is junk, and you'll need a new axle nut (i.e. SVT).

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 11-03-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

So to remove the laminated nut in one piece, you need a special socket that fits over the 'tabs'?
SVT nut it'll be then!

Thanks guys!

Nothing special about the socket other than it being larger than most people own.

Don't feel bad about taking the old one off the way you did, it happens ALL the time.

**WuNgUn** · 11-03-2009, 06:48 PM

I'll PM you later on getting an SVT replacement...BTW, do you have a price?

Made more progress tonight...caliper off, strut mount bolt off (TOUGH one!), balljoint nut off, BUT....
Trying to remove the TORX bolt on the other side of the balljoint nut (it IS threaded into the knuckle, right??), I chewed out the head of the bolt.

I don't think I have any other option now, but replace the lower control arm...DAMMIT!!

I tried hammering it from the nut side, thinking it was just a through bolt, but no budging it...
I THINK the TORX head is maybe a size 55? Or 60?
I was using a size 50, which seemed pretty good...until it slipped.

**OmniFocus** · 11-03-2009, 06:56 PM

Wow, I've never had that happen. It is fairly large, but not huge. I don't have my car handy or I'd check for you.

Actually, that bolt is not threaded into the knuckle.... it could be jammed on the ball joint pin though. You should be able to tap it out the other side with a mallet.

It could be seized in place from road salts or whatnot.

**dhardison** · 11-03-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

I'll PM you later on getting an SVT replacement...BTW, do you have a price?

Made more progress tonight...caliper off, strut mount bolt off (TOUGH one!), balljoint nut off, BUT....
Trying to remove the TORX bolt on the other side of the balljoint nut (it IS threaded into the knuckle, right??), I chewed out the head of the bolt.

I don't think I have any other option now, but replace the lower control arm...DAMMIT!!

I tried hammering it from the nut side, thinking it was just a through bolt, but no budging it...
I THINK the TORX head is maybe a size 55? Or 60?
I was using a size 50, which seemed pretty good...until it slipped.

The torx bolt for the lower ball joint that goes through the knuckle is NOT threaded in the knuckle. It's probably just seized or the downward pressure from the lower control arm/ball joint is putting pressure on it. Some PB blaster and a BFH should do the trick. Put the nut back on loosely and hit the nut with a BFH. You're going to have to replace the bolt/but anyway.

**WuNgUn** · 11-03-2009, 07:08 PM

Wow...that's great news!!!
I have a nice club hammer that'll work nicely...
I'll just need to swing it harder

Thank you fella's!!!

When I was at the wreckers, and they were pulling the same bolt out of the knuckle of a wrecked Focus, they also had a helleva time...
They torched, and beat, and twisted it...which is why I thought it was threaded.

I've been soaking it with Toyota penatrating fluid....hopefully she comes out!

Het Steve...can you quote me for the axle nut AND the ball joint bolt/nut?
Thanks...

**dhardison** · 11-03-2009, 08:07 PM

When trying to remove the bolt make sure you jack up the a-arm (under the ball joint area) and take downward pressure off the strut. This will take any pressure off the bolt as it passes by the the ball-joint pin through. My guess is the bolt is just seized in the knuckle. I've had a couple do that with the rear bushings and had to cut them off with a cut-off wheel.

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 11-03-2009, 11:40 PM

The easiest way to remove that pinch bolt is with an air hammer, of course if you don't own a compressor you're stuck banging away with a regular hammer.

It took me about 10 seconds to remove one that had stumped another guy for an hour.

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 11-04-2009, 01:34 PM

$7.69 each for the SVT front nuts.

**zach92r** · 11-04-2009, 02:29 PM

Buy a Haynes repair manual, found at any autoparts store.

**WuNgUn** · 11-04-2009, 06:11 PM

I have a manual...lol
Never thought I'd need it for removinmg a nut...guess I was wrong!

Anyways...

Got home tonight, and pulled out the BFH...3 or 4 good pounds, and it moved! Yeah!!!!
I turned the nut out and kept pounding...came out the rest of the way with a punch.

...and it's slightly bent...maybe from the hammer?

So now I need the axle nut and balljoint bolt/nut.
I'm gonna call local, cause I want the car back on the road ASAP.

So the corner is all back together and ready to go, except for the hardware.

Thanks for all the help guys!

11-02-2009, 09:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
dhardison TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Delaware, OH Posts: 569	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? The factory axle nuts are 'laminated', but in order to remove you're not supposed to remove the outer 'shell'. Those laminated nuts cause all sorts of issues with the threads on the axle. You can replace with another laminated nut but if it were me I'd replace with a 'SVT' axle nut which is a one-piece design with an integrated washer. Steve @ Tousley Ford can get you what you need. I torque my axle nuts to 275ft/lbs, but the factory spec is 316 NM (~233 ft/lbs) . __________________ '00 ZX3 ITE/STU SCCA race car (PWSC'd)

11-02-2009, 10:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
TXFO Not Special Enough Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: back in Jane's diary Posts: 13,862	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? tighten it as hard as your impact will go and then stake it with the retaining tabs. __________________ German and Italian car tech. Fixin to adjust the knob to HIGH POWERED. black belt at the drunk as balls dojo. Bloodshot eyes, metal skin, serpent's tongue, dagger claws, dragon wings, crooked horns. KING!

11-02-2009, 11:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 29,403	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? Once that has been dismantled, it is definitely toast. The threads won't line up. ...no biggie though, as dhardison mention, replace it with an SVT nut. Much better piece. __________________ Vacuum Vulture Racing: The masters of ape latexing.

11-03-2009, 07:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
dhardison TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Delaware, OH Posts: 569	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? ^^ Yes, the laminated nut comes off all as one piece (socket over the tabs/shell). With those laminated nuts sometimes the 'individual nuts' get out of alignment with each other and it boogers up the threads on the axle when you try to remove it as one piece. Only if that happens would I suggest bending back the tabs and removing each nut individually. Once you've bent back the tabs and separated the individual nuts, the whole piece is junk, and you'll need a new axle nut (i.e. SVT). __________________ '00 ZX3 ITE/STU SCCA race car (PWSC'd)

11-03-2009, 06:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 29,403	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? Wow, I've never had that happen. It is fairly large, but not huge. I don't have my car handy or I'd check for you. Actually, that bolt is not threaded into the knuckle.... it could be jammed on the ball joint pin though. You should be able to tap it out the other side with a mallet. It could be seized in place from road salts or whatnot. __________________ Vacuum Vulture Racing: The masters of ape latexing.

11-03-2009, 08:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
dhardison TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Delaware, OH Posts: 569	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? When trying to remove the bolt make sure you jack up the a-arm (under the ball joint area) and take downward pressure off the strut. This will take any pressure off the bolt as it passes by the the ball-joint pin through. My guess is the bolt is just seized in the knuckle. I've had a couple do that with the rear bushings and had to cut them off with a cut-off wheel. __________________ '00 ZX3 ITE/STU SCCA race car (PWSC'd) Last edited by dhardison; 11-03-2009 at 08:12 PM.

11-03-2009, 11:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
FORDSVTPARTS Premier Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 8,236	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? The easiest way to remove that pinch bolt is with an air hammer, of course if you don't own a compressor you're stuck banging away with a regular hammer. It took me about 10 seconds to remove one that had stumped another guy for an hour. __________________ To order from me just call 1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve or use one of the methods below. Now accepting online orders here http://www.tousleyfordparts.com You can also find us here http://forums.focaljet.com/tousley-ford/ 2002 Silver SVT #2952 , custom CAI , Stage 2 throttle body, VF rear mount, FRPP 9mm wires, EAP/MACH HID's, Borla exhaust, K-W springs, FRPP UDP, Screamin Demon coil, Tuned by Mike at Unique Tuning in S.C.

11-04-2009, 01:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
FORDSVTPARTS Premier Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 8,236	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? $7.69 each for the SVT front nuts. __________________ To order from me just call 1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve or use one of the methods below. Now accepting online orders here http://www.tousleyfordparts.com You can also find us here http://forums.focaljet.com/tousley-ford/ 2002 Silver SVT #2952 , custom CAI , Stage 2 throttle body, VF rear mount, FRPP 9mm wires, EAP/MACH HID's, Borla exhaust, K-W springs, FRPP UDP, Screamin Demon coil, Tuned by Mike at Unique Tuning in S.C.

11-04-2009, 02:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
zach92r Napeolin Sherbert Gaundi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Millerstown, PA Posts: 724	Re: Front axle nut...4 pieces?? Buy a Haynes repair manual, found at any autoparts store. __________________ 2001 Ford focus se wagon Mods: FS Cool-Flo air intake, FS front stress bar, Momo pedals, underbody/interior lighting Soon adding: Drum to disc brake conversion kit and EVO 3 bumpers with fogs Future mods: FS headers w/ flex pipe and FS exhaust with in-line cat, Corbeau FX-1 seats, svt suspension with koni or bilstein shocks and struts with H&R springs,lambo doors, custom opening rear hatch, new zetec engine with a auto to manual swap plus many more mods

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