Who here uses a torque wrench on the cv axle nut?

[daveatthebill]

Hello,

I recently needed a new CV axle for my vehicle, and while I was there, I asked the shop to replace the wheel bearing as well, just to address any potential front-end issues.

Towards the end of the repair, the shop called me in to show me an oil leak, and I watched as they finished up the work. When the technician got to the axle nut, I noticed he used an impact wrench instead of a torque wrench. I asked him if the axle nut could be torqued, and he simply replied, "We just zip them on; they won’t go anywhere."

At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but after reading more online, it seems like the axle nut should be torqued to a specific value. So, I wanted to ask: Do most shops or people here use a torque wrench to tighten axle nuts, or is it common to just zip them on?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[eljefino]

I do. In the past my biggest wrench topped out at 150 and needed to do 160, so I switched to a breaker bar to give "a little more." But it's still better on the wheel bearings, by far, than hammering them with an impact.

 

[spasm3]

I always use one.

 

[shortyb]

I use a torque wrench for everything that has a value. Some things I use a general scale depending on hardware. Toilet seat even gets torqued (65in/lbs) .

 

[RooflessVW]

I use a torque wrench for everything that has a value. Some things I use a general scale depending on hardware. Toilet seat even gets torqued (65in/lbs) .

Lots of people say this and only have one 3/8" torque wrench.

 

[Timmastertech]

Always. Whether it has any impact on the bearing depends on the design of the bearing & hub ass'y. If its the style where the hub is mushroomed over the back of the bearing, axle nut torque makes no difference. If it is the style where the shoulder of the axle butts against the bearing, axle nut torque can impact bearing preload and overtightening can drastically shorten bearing life.

 

[shortyb]

Lots of people say this and only have one 3/8" torque wrench.

I get that, I have 7. From a Wiha Torque Vario S screwdriver that starts at 10in/lbs., all the way up to my 1/2" Snap-On TechAngle electronic that'll do 300lb/ft.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Honestly, no. I get it on there pretty good with the impact and stake it down. It’s not going anywhere. There is one guy at work who uses a torque wrench on them and he has to get two people to hold the pry bar in place so it doesn’t turn when he tries to torque it.

 

[spasm3]

Lots of people say this and only have one 3/8" torque wrench.

CV axles usually take 150-200ft/lbs. I have a 1/2 precision beam torque wrench.

 

[rijndael]

Honestly, no. I get it on there pretty good with the impact and stake it down. It’s not going anywhere. There is one guy at work who uses a torque wrench on them and he has to get two people to hold the pry bar in place so it doesn’t turn when he tries to torque it.

I just lower the car close to the ground so the bar can bear against that, rather than needing someone to hold it.

 

[FoxProTwisty]

Seeing as though I know the torque setting on mine by heart at 177 ftlbs, yes, yes I do. But with just a 20v Dewalt impact, I bet I get it to about 130 ftlbs witch is definitely not enough for piece of mind, let alone safety.

 

[Nukeman7]

Seeing as though I know the torque setting on mine by heart at 177 ftlbs, yes, yes I do. But with just a 20v Dewalt impact, I bet I get it to about 130 ftlbs witch is definitely not enough for piece of mind, let alone safety.

My 20V DeWalt XR (mid-torque) 1/2" impact wrench is rated for 300 ft-lbs. of fastening torque and 450 ft-lbs. of breakaway torque. If I torque an axle nut to 250 ft-lbs. with my split-beam torque wrench, the DeWalt impact can absolutely tighten it further.

 

[scoot]

Hello,

I recently needed a new CV axle for my vehicle, and while I was there, I asked the shop to replace the wheel bearing as well, just to address any potential front-end issues.

Towards the end of the repair, the shop called me in to show me an oil leak, and I watched as they finished up the work. When the technician got to the axle nut, I noticed he used an impact wrench instead of a torque wrench. I asked him if the axle nut could be torqued, and he simply replied, "We just zip them on; they won’t go anywhere."

At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but after reading more online, it seems like the axle nut should be torqued to a specific value. So, I wanted to ask: Do most shops or people here use a torque wrench to tighten axle nuts, or is it common to just zip them on?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

He did it that way because it's easier for him he doesn't care . He couldn't be bothered looking up the number or getting the right torque on there

 

[Kestas]

With some designs, the axle nut torque has an effect on bearing clearance, and bearing life can be compromised. Yet so many mechanics out there simply gun them on. The engineers that designed the bearings have fits when they hear that. It's a constant battle between the bearing engineers and the dealer service techs who service the axle nut during the warranty period. That's why they moved away from these designs to something where the axle nut torque doesn't affect bearing clearance. It's also why they moved away from bearing-in-rotor. That was a nightmare for setting bearing clearance and preventing premature bearing failure.

 

[daniel327]

I recently purchased a new torque wrench specifically for use when I replaced my front wheel bearings. It's range is 70-370 ft/lb, so it should cover the ever increasing torque spec numbers for a while into the future.

 

[Chris142]

I just zip them down on my jeep as the axle nut tq does not adjust the bearing preload. A few weeks ago I put one on a customers Porsche and you bet I used a tq wrench on that. That called for 370 ft lbs and I had to borrow a big tq wrench for that .

 

[zrxkawboy]

I do.

 

[D60]

I just stick a Tekton phillips in a rotor vane and torque. This seems to handle 200# plus with zero issues. Never damaged a rotor or the screwdriver shank. Zero drama, very easy.

On things like 2nd Gen Rams (granted, not CVs) I run it on as tight as possible. The castle divisions are VERY coarse so you REALLY TRULY only have one choice.

 

[Strumpan_]

I do because im not changing a wheel bearing for fun. The salt here makes it easier to just buy another car than change bearings.

 

[thescreensavers]

Yea 100% I assume it will always affect bearing preload. I know most unit bearings come preloaded from the factory (orbital forming process).

If the nut holds the rotating assembly Ita affecting preload. If not I'd love to see an Xsect of how it's not affecting preload.