Axle nut sockets/tool

[andy]

What do you guys use to remove and install the axle nuts on the front and rear diffs? They are like 3.25 and 3.75. Pricing impact sockets out was crazy. Is there a cheaper way to tighten them?

Andy

[Outsider]

Go to your local generic HD truck parts supplier and ask for the sizes you need in axle nut sockets. They will be 3/4" drive and made specifically for doing the job at hand. Some guys will use a chisel, but it makes a mess out of the nuts.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve

[KC]

Andy,
I used an old axle nut socket that was the wrong size by welding a piece of metal flat stock shaped to the proper axle nut size. If I remember correctly I used a piece of 3/16 x 3/4 flat bar stock that was formed around a spare axle nut then welded to the socket. Worked great, and yes I'm cheap.
KC

[andy]

Thanks guys, great ideas. I believe they are 3 1/4 and 3 3/4?

Andy

[Outsider]

Also if you go get a axle nut socket make sure you tell them how many points are on the nut! Otherwise you may get the wrong one.

Steve

[steve1973]

I think Rod Shaver had the correct axle nut wrench for sale. I works on both front and rear axles. Gary H. has the one for the idler nut and works great. We used both on Don's halftrack. If I remember correctly he had one on his table at Tower Park.

Steve A.

[steve-0]

the rear idler nut is 2 1/2"
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=%222+1/2%22+socket&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&prmd=ivns&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11309290815907354501

axle nuts... both are 8 point  (an impact socket wont work because it wont fit in that tight area)
they measure right in between 3 3/4" and 3 13/16  and the smaller one 3 1/4" and 3 5/16"
if the correct nut driver is 3 1/4" and 3 3/4" then the following links will work. if its the larger size then just modify the search.

is the nut size stamped on the original drivers?

3 1/4" socket
http://www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&hl=en&q=%223+1%2F4%22+hub+socket+%228+point%22&oq=%223+1%2F4%22+hub+socket+%228+point%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=products-cc.3...5341.10593.0.10935.10.1.0.9.0.0.397.397.3-1.1.0...0.0.


3 3/4" socket
http://www.google.com/search?q=%223+3%2F4%22+hub+socket+%228+point%22&tbm=shop&hl=en&gs_l=products-cc.3...5341.10593.0.10935.10.1.0.9.0.0.397.397.3-1.1.0...0.0.&oq=%223+3%2F4%22+hub+socket+%228+point%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=

[steve1973]

There is a surplus hub nut wrench for halftrack and scoutcar on eBay right now. I thing it is from Rod Shaver. Here is the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-Military-Scout-Car-Halftrack-wheel-bearing-wrench-original-/221023118519?hash=item33760124b7&item=221023118519&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Steve A.

[andy]

Great!  Thanks. I bid.
Andy

There is a surplus hub nut wrench for halftrack and scoutcar on eBay right now. I thing it is from Rod Shaver. Here is the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-Military-Scout-Car-Halftrack-wheel-bearing-wrench-original-/221023118519?hash=item33760124b7&item=221023118519&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Steve A.