Removing rear stub axle bearing lock nuts

[p510psi]

I'm looking for some advice on removing the bearing lock nuts on the rear stub axles of a 240z/260z. I realise that it will take some leverage to get them off, but I'm interested in people's experience with attempting to remove the crimp on the nut and any resulting damage to the axle.

 

I have read that some people advise not to touch the crimp at all and just begin to loosen the nut. I am planning to use new nuts so I don't mind damaging the nut, but obviously I don't want to damage the axle. 

 

Thanks,

Craig

[C.A.R.]

Are you removing the bearings because they are worn?

[Zedman240®]

Craig, if you don't undo the crimps on the nut, you will damage the stub axle as well. If it takes two hours to do it properly then you have to! Unless you have a spare set of stub axles. If you have a small chisel and some patience it can be done. When it comes time to loosen the nut, do it carefully and if it looks like the thread is being damaged, keep working on the crimps until they clear the thread. When I had to loosen mine, after I removed the crimps, my back fence was a perfect place for the wheel studs to be locked into posi for the big socket and breaker bar to initially "crack" the nut. Its hard to describe how but if I show you, it will make perfect sense!

[p510psi]

Thanks for the advice Dimitri.

 

Are you removing the bearings because they are worn?

 

I need to remove the nut because I'm changing the stub axle flange to suit CV axles.

[RB30X]

I removed the 280ZX's by sticking a breaker bar in the wheel studs locking the axle in position and putting a piece of pipe over the breaker bar to crack the nut.