cadyshac

So I planned to replace the axle shaft nuts on my new to me 2005 base coupe. Car only has 40K miles but driveline does seem a little "clunky". I popped the center caps off and both shafts are very rusty. Rusty to the point I am nervous about removing the shaft nuts, afraid I might destroy the threads. Anyone else experience this, did you have any problem with damaging the rusty threads? I don't even know for sure my nuts are loose, don't want to create a problem and have to replace the shafts.

CadVette

Take a wire brush on the end of a drill and get the rust off that way. I noticed the same thing on my car and did this. I put bearing grease on the threads to prevent further corrosion. I doubt those nuts are loose as they are torqued down to at least 125 ft/lbs. If you think something is clunky it is most likely something else like a need to change out your differential fluid that is common in these years cars due to the clutch packs sticking. There is a "how to" section on here about that. At 40K it's not a bad idea to do this anyway.

User Omega

I agree with taking a wire brush and cleaning the rust from the threads. You will be surprised how alright they will be after cleaning.

You could clean the threads and then post a picture. Many of us have mechanical backgrounds and can help you assess the situation better with a photo. Before shots are irrelevant.

cadyshac

Thanks, I did change the diff and tranny fluid a couple weeks ago.

ben dover

After you change the diff lube, you need to drive some tight figure eights.

wayback

After using the wire brush spray some PBblaster on them. I used the old nuts as locknuts to hold the new ones tightly in place.

HOXXOH

It's not necessary unless you want instant results. The dealers do that so the customers who complained of the noise, don't continue to hear it when they first drive it off the lot. After several dozen right and left turns, the new fluid should be fully into the clutch packs. The hard 8's speed up the process.
Of course, it might be the OP hasn't driven it much yet or that he didn't use the correct fluid. I agree that the fluid is the likely cause of the clunking and not the axle nuts being loose. Some figure 8's now certainly won't hurt.

To the OP, what's the part number on the fluid you used?

cadyshac

I did that.

cadyshac

I used Mobil 1 that already has the limited slip additive in it.

cadyshac

My "noise" is not coming from the differential. I have read quite a bit about the axle nuts working loose, especially on the '05 models. I figured for a couple bucks it's cheap insurance to just go ahead and change them, add the locktite and get the proper torque.

Speed07

I replaced my rear sway bar end links and axle nuts last spring for clunking. My axle nuts were no where near the required torque specs. A few bucks for new nuts and loctite and the noise was gone.

LMB-Z

Are the axle nuts bad? Why replace them? Make sure they are tight to specs, done. No need to replace. Just saying.

cadyshac

So I finally got around to replacing the axle shaft nuts today. No problems with the rusty threads and the driver side was definitely not very tight, passenger side not as bad. New nuts installed and letting it sit for a day for the locktite to cure. Don't know if it will help but certainly wont hurt.

John Harry

According to my notes, Bulletin 08-04-20-003: "Half Shaft (Drive Axle) Nut Appears To Be Loose" says that if the nut loosens it must be replaced.