After a car has gone so many miles without the axle nut re-torque, the lack of pressure on the hub/bearing will cause it to split, and be ruined.

Correct me if I am wrong... I havent taken one apart yet, but:

The wheel bearing is two parts, and the lack of the extra torque causes the bearing to split after some mileage. When you continue to drive on it, it ends up carving up the hub.

Sooo.. if you catch it early, you should be good, but if you let it go, you will end up having to replace not only the wheel bearing, but also the hub.


edit: another thing...

I dont think you really need to "pack" the spline area with grease. For removing/reinstalling an axle into the hub, you just need some grease on the splines so that it doesnt rust in there, so it comes out smooth. There is nothing that you can 'lubricate' as far as putting grease behind the axle nut. You just need grease on the threads of the axle, and possibly a little on the back of the axle nut so that it will spin freely up to the specified torque.

 

#1 = inner dust boot
#2 = axle
#3 = outer dust boot
#4 = boot clamps
#5 = splines (inside the diff)
#6 = splines (inside the hub)
#7 = axle nut

IMO its always a good idea (but a lot more work!) to remove the axle to inspect the splines on the axle and hub, apply fresh EP grease op the splines and then tighten the axle nut to spec. when you have the clicking / clacking noise.
That is what I would do if I were to do this on my own (old) car.

jzz30 Posted on Mar 3 2007, 12:51 PM
If one would apply the e-brake a bit and then drive forward / backwards, do you "create" or amplify the clicking noise?

Happy 2nd year birthday on S2ki jzz30

 

no i've tried it with the handbrake couldnt re-create the noise. i'm also getting like "slack" when shifting, kinda as if the driveshaft has to much play before "grabbing".
maybe the tranni needs rebuilding too. i'm picking up a used diff today and dropping it in next week. i did consider also replacing both knuckles, but last time checked my poo was still poo and not gold

i might just have to find a big tree and brace myself before impact! I hate problem cars. just hate em. you guys have a good weekend.

 

hmm, this sounds similar to what mine did. I had a cv type popping noise from mine when under load. I retorqued the axle nuts according to the tech bulletin on these boards. Issue didn't go away. I checked the play in the axles and didn't feel any. I checked the hubs for excessive heat thinking it might be bearing issues.

I went the cure all route and replaced the axles and the bearings. It makes me feel better knowing I won't have to do it again. Plus the axles seem like a wear item just like the bearings.

The pisser is it all started at 18k miles or so.

J

 

thannks spitfire!

 

Picked up my diff yesterday. spent all day cleaning it, getting rid of all the cooked oil shit that was in it and removing the melted gaskets. the nasties smell in the world by the way.
getting the gaskets on tuesday and i'll keep updating .

 

Didnt everyone tell you that its the axle nut... If you let it go too long, it will ruin the hub/bearing assembly and the click will not go away completely.

 

aero3685 Posted on Mar 4 2007, 03:40 PM no offense but i've you would have read the entire thread you would have realized that i've already done that. TWICE. nevertheless, thanks for the free bump back up.

 

do you know who changed your diff fluid and do you know what they used?

 

i changed it. 2x since i've had the car (13 months - 18Kmiles). i used mobil1 75w90