Rear axle nuts
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
If your torque wrench is Ok for your lugs (which require 100 ft.lbs.) then I would guess it can be increased to 118 ft. lbs. usually by rotating the black handle (there is sometimes a slip ring above the handle that must be pushed away from the handle to change the setting). Adjust the wrench to 118 ft.lbs. and you will need a socket for the nuts, I would recommend a deep socket, as for the correct size some members have said a 33 MM works well while others have said they needed a 34 MM socket, I would say if you can find a 1-5/16" that would be your safest bet as this would fall in almost exactly between the 33 & 34 MM sizes. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 3
From: Hugetown Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
While we are on the subject, here are a few torque wrench rules off the top of my head:
- Proper torque wrench procedure is to back off the wrench to zero or the designated bottom setting when you store between uses.
- Before you begin run the setting all the way up to the highest setting, then back to the desired set point. Torque wrenches operate with an internal spring and this will keep your wrench from falling out of calibration as quickly.
- Believe it or not, your torque wrench needs to be calibrated every year.
- Use the correct torque wrench for the desired setting. Never use a wrench that requires the setting to be outside the 20% to 80% range of the wrench. If your setting is 100 ft/lbs, do not use a 10-100 ft/lbs wrench or you are asking for trouble.
- Do NOT use your torque wrench as a breaker bar.
- Finally, keep the wrench clean. Dirt and dust getting into the mechanism can throw off settings.
- Proper torque wrench procedure is to back off the wrench to zero or the designated bottom setting when you store between uses.
- Before you begin run the setting all the way up to the highest setting, then back to the desired set point. Torque wrenches operate with an internal spring and this will keep your wrench from falling out of calibration as quickly.
- Believe it or not, your torque wrench needs to be calibrated every year.
- Use the correct torque wrench for the desired setting. Never use a wrench that requires the setting to be outside the 20% to 80% range of the wrench. If your setting is 100 ft/lbs, do not use a 10-100 ft/lbs wrench or you are asking for trouble.
- Do NOT use your torque wrench as a breaker bar.
- Finally, keep the wrench clean. Dirt and dust getting into the mechanism can throw off settings.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Oahu HI
ps- this is jay from the uuc garage
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 3
From: Hugetown Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Jay, I always look for your screen name on here. I hope you are well.
BTW, I learned most of that from garager, Curt Kiser. He does the Navy's torquing tools from small hand tools to HUGE ship machine tools. Ever wonder how they torque the nut that holds on a ship's propeller?
Enjoying your ZO6 there in Hawaii?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, Md.
Yup, did same since Sears goes from 32mm to 36mm....34mm - nadda
Both sides where slightly loose to the tune of a 30-35 degree turn when torquing, guess I'll be checking them in a month to see whats what.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Oahu HI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
This forum is great. I'm getting ready to go on a 2000 mile trip in the Vette, so I checked the rear axle nuts. I bought a 1 5/16" Deep Impact Socket (that's all they had) from the local NAPA for $19. The right side moved at least 1/8 turn before it tightened to 118 lb ft. The left side was tight.
Thanks,
Glenn
Thanks,
Glenn
Last edited by glennhl; May 30, 2007 at 11:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Just in time for the guys that want an inexpensive torque wrench; Harbor Freight flyer in my mailbox this PM, 1/2" torque wrench,$14.99 AND a 15% off coupon in the same flyer. $12.74 (+ $1.01 tax in Texas)= $13.75 Total OTD.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
So do you use a 3/4 to 1/2 torque wrench? What is the adapter for? What do these tools look like and if you go the Craftsman route this is all they have? So which one is it?
1/2 torque wrench?
or 3/4 torque wrench?
A 1 5/16" Deep Impact Socket?
A 33mm or 34mm socket?
How many pieces are we talking about?
You just need two pieces like the same 1/2 torque wrench you use to tighten your lugnuts with but with a 33 or 34 MM socket? then there is a 1 5/16 socket?
Last edited by LS WON; May 31, 2007 at 12:39 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
The 33mm GM Axle Socket I got from Pep Boys is 1/2" drive, my 15? year old Torque wrench is 1/2", nothing else needed.
If you have a 3/4" drive socket and a 1/2" torque wrench then you'll need a 1/2" female to 3/4" male adapter.
If you have a 1/2" drive socket and a 3/4" torque wrench then you'll need a 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter.
If you have a 3/4" drive socket and a 1/2" torque wrench then you'll need a 1/2" female to 3/4" male adapter.
If you have a 1/2" drive socket and a 3/4" torque wrench then you'll need a 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
The 33mm GM Axle Socket I got from Pep Boys is 1/2" drive, my 15? year old Torque wrench is 1/2", nothing else needed.
If you have a 3/4" drive socket and a 1/2" torque wrench then you'll need a 1/2" female to 3/4" male adapter.
If you have a 1/2" drive socket and a 3/4" torque wrench then you'll need a 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter.
If you have a 3/4" drive socket and a 1/2" torque wrench then you'll need a 1/2" female to 3/4" male adapter.
If you have a 1/2" drive socket and a 3/4" torque wrench then you'll need a 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter.
I have a Craftsman 1/2 drive so all I need is the 33mm GM Axle Socket?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
1-5/16 Socket - Where you can buy it!
I've been following the Z06 thread on loose axle nuts and decided to check my C6. Dial caliper showed the nut to be just under 33mm so I bought a 33mm GM axle nut from Pep Boys. Passenger side was very loose, 80lb.ft. or so, drivers side was tighter but still not correct. Tightned both to 118 lb. ft. and will continue to check them now that I've proved to myself that it's a problem. May be Locktite time?
I just ordered a 1/2 drive 1-5/16 inch 6 point deep socket from
SJDiscountTools.com for $12.33 plus $11.45 shipping. They shipped the same day. I'll report on how loose my nuts are when it gets here.
Andrew T. Clifton (06 A6 Z51 Coupe)
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu HI
i went down to the local sears store... 1-5/16" (3/4" drive) and a adapter (3/4" to 1/2")
it was at the bottom of the display case on the other side of the 33mm ones (almost miss it)
10K miles 12 month - hand tight (less than 20ft/lbs) on passenger side about 50ft/lbs on the driver
it was at the bottom of the display case on the other side of the 33mm ones (almost miss it)
10K miles 12 month - hand tight (less than 20ft/lbs) on passenger side about 50ft/lbs on the driver
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
i went down to the local sears store... 1-5/16" (3/4" drive) and a adapter (3/4" to 1/2")
it was at the bottom of the display case on the other side of the 33mm ones (almost miss it)
10K miles 12 month - hand tight (less than 20ft/lbs) on passenger side about 50ft/lbs on the driver
it was at the bottom of the display case on the other side of the 33mm ones (almost miss it)
10K miles 12 month - hand tight (less than 20ft/lbs) on passenger side about 50ft/lbs on the driver
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
i went down to the local sears store... 1-5/16" (3/4" drive) and a adapter (3/4" to 1/2")
it was at the bottom of the display case on the other side of the 33mm ones (almost miss it)
10K miles 12 month - hand tight (less than 20ft/lbs) on passenger side about 50ft/lbs on the driver
it was at the bottom of the display case on the other side of the 33mm ones (almost miss it)
10K miles 12 month - hand tight (less than 20ft/lbs) on passenger side about 50ft/lbs on the driver
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I did the same thing only you can get the shipping for $6 if you ask. The socket I ordered was a 34mm GM axle nut socket.My right side was was 80 pounds and the left was 118.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
Yes. My Sears only had 32mm and 36mm. They carry a 36mm as that is common for the BMW/MINI oil changes, I went through that before. I have the 1/2 drive torque wrench so I bought the 1 5/16 socket for a 3/4 drive, and bought the 1/2 to 3/4 adapter. If they have the 33 or 34mm sizes, it would be cheaper, and you wouldn't need the conversion adapter. I paid about $30 for both items.