Is it OK to use a socket to tighten axle nuts? I've read that you're only supposed to use an impact wrench because hand-tightened axle nuts don't stay on. I don't see how hand-tightening wouldn't work, but you never know.

 

No castellated nuts, with holes in the axle for cotter pins, Mike?

Diogenes

 

I don't know what castle nuts are, but yes, there are holes in the axle for cotter pins.

 

Mike, "castellated" nuts have notches cut in them, named for their resemblance to the battlements (firing ledges) on castle walls. These nuts thread onto shafts with transverse holes bored into them. After a nut is tightened onto the shaft, the notches are aligned with the holes and a cotter pin inserted. Spreading the ends of the cotter pin holds the pin in place, in turn preventing the nut from rotating on the shaft.

You asked if an impact wrench was required to tighten axle nuts to prevent the nuts from coming loose. If a cotter pin is inserted through the notches of a castellated nut and bent into place, shouldn't matter how the nut was tightened--impact wrench or hand tool--the nut's not apt to come loose, in my experience.

Diogenes

 

Thanks for the reply. Just to be on the safe side, I am going to use a friend's impact wrench.

 

Let me also recommend high quality, anti-sieze grease to make it easier to remove axle nuts in the future. The best grease for this is made by Bostic and is called Never Sieze. It is expensive ($20 for an 8 oz tube) but doesn't take much to do the job.

It seems too that it is almost impossible to get axle nuts too tight. The idea is to keep the hubs from working loose over time. Many an axle and hub have been lost to those who failed to keep the axle nuts tight.

 

I'll for sure use anti-seize. I apply it to almost every bolt I remove. Saves lots of hassle down the road. Thanks.

 

I'd recommend castellated nuts and cotter pins, too, just to be safe.

Diogenes