Rear Axle Lock Nut Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
Rear Axle Lock Nut Question
I cannot locate the size of the rear drive axle lock or retaining nut in my service manuals for my manual 01 Coupe - I have read 1 5/16 and 33 mm somewhere on the forum - First question is which is correct, and second question (which may turn out to be a dumb one): are they the same? I have what I think is a dry spleen and want to get my hands on the appropriate socket tomorrow. Thanks in advance ---
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I got a 33mm socket at O'Reilly's auto. They were the only parts store around here that stocked sockets that large. They had them as a specialty socket just to fit front wheel drive cars, but the size is the same for the back on the Corvette.
By the way, if you are having the dreaded popping noise from the drive axle, the noise is not actually coming from the spline. When you remove the axle nut, you need to push the axle in (I assume you will have the wheel off, so there should be enough slack in the axle with the suspension dropped down) and be sure to get a good coat of oil or light grease on the surface where the CV joint hub tightens against the bearing on the INSIDE part of the spline. The noise comes from the joint/hub surface sticking and slipping under load. IF you just get lube on the outside part of the spline, you will likely still have the noise.
Be sure to have a torque wrench handy to tighten the axle nut back to 118 ft-lbs.
By the way, if you are having the dreaded popping noise from the drive axle, the noise is not actually coming from the spline. When you remove the axle nut, you need to push the axle in (I assume you will have the wheel off, so there should be enough slack in the axle with the suspension dropped down) and be sure to get a good coat of oil or light grease on the surface where the CV joint hub tightens against the bearing on the INSIDE part of the spline. The noise comes from the joint/hub surface sticking and slipping under load. IF you just get lube on the outside part of the spline, you will likely still have the noise.
Be sure to have a torque wrench handy to tighten the axle nut back to 118 ft-lbs.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Nov 13, 2006 at 09:25 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Interesting. I just replaced the rear wheel bearing on my 02 Z06.
I used a 34mm socket, which was listed in some instructions I had. That fit but did feel a hair too big. But it worked. I also got 130ft/lbs as the torque spec, which I used. No problem so far. Not too painful a job either.
The only other odd wrench I need that I didn't have was a 21mm open end wrench. Can't get the lower ball joint nut off with a ratchet/socket. The CV is in the way.
I used a 34mm socket, which was listed in some instructions I had. That fit but did feel a hair too big. But it worked. I also got 130ft/lbs as the torque spec, which I used. No problem so far. Not too painful a job either.
The only other odd wrench I need that I didn't have was a 21mm open end wrench. Can't get the lower ball joint nut off with a ratchet/socket. The CV is in the way.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
Thanks guys for the comments and the additional info - Patches, you came to my rescue when I first joined the Forum - TEXHAWKO - Longview is a small town, one of my best freinds returned there a few years back and works as a sales rep for a ready mix company, last name of Couch - spleen/spline - haha - the part that concerns me is that I DID proof read the thing. I am going to have fun with this "aging" thing - thats as long as I don't send my wife to the parts shop and ask for spleen lube - Oh well, thanks again -
