Loose Axle Nuts
10-09-2012, 09:41 PM
#1
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: Longview Washington
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Loose Axle Nuts
FYI,
My 06 was making the clunking noise, having already changed the rear differential oil thought I would have the rear axle nuts looked at. I took it to Tom Wong in Vancouver Washington, sure enough they were both very loose. Tightened the nuts, and no more clunck.
My 06 was making the clunking noise, having already changed the rear differential oil thought I would have the rear axle nuts looked at. I took it to Tom Wong in Vancouver Washington, sure enough they were both very loose. Tightened the nuts, and no more clunck.
10-09-2012, 10:11 PM
#2
Race Director
If the nuts were not replaced with the new part numbers units they may work loose again. I would just replace the nuts and be done with it. I think they are about $4.00each or so. do a search here using the search function for the DYI thread. 
10-09-2012, 11:01 PM
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,991
Received 2,070 Likes
on
1,375 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
There's a bulletin about how to fix this:
New nuts (different part number)
Install w/Loctite 272
Torque to specified value
Let car sit for 24 hrs
New nuts (different part number)
Install w/Loctite 272
Torque to specified value
Let car sit for 24 hrs
10-09-2012, 11:25 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
My 2011 Grand Sport was doing it too (at 9000 miles) so I took it to the local dealer. They tightened the nuts to 160 ft/lbs. I asked about the service bulletin but I guess it does not apply to my year.
They are starting to do it again (a little bit) so I am thinking about going back in and having them carry out the service bulletin so it is captured in the warranty history. Any thoughts on the approach? I wold rather just get the nuts and do it myself. It would be faster and I would not have to hand my car over to the dealer. I just don't trust them.
Matt
They are starting to do it again (a little bit) so I am thinking about going back in and having them carry out the service bulletin so it is captured in the warranty history. Any thoughts on the approach? I wold rather just get the nuts and do it myself. It would be faster and I would not have to hand my car over to the dealer. I just don't trust them.
Matt
10-10-2012, 08:31 AM
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,991
Received 2,070 Likes
on
1,375 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
I understand your reluctance to use the dealer, but if they do the job once then they own it. Any problems during the warranty period are their problems. If you do the job, then it's your baby. Not to say that dealers always get it right...
10-10-2012, 10:43 AM
#8
Safety Car
Yup.
Strictly speaking, everything I've read says the axle nuts are one-time use.
That said, when I discovered my axle nuts were loose, I did NOT replace 'em.
And I did NOT torque to spec (160 lbs?)... just tightened 'em by hand & snugged a bit with a socket.
Since the only downside to loose axle nuts seems to be noise, I didn't see an urgency to replace 'em... just checked annually to see that they weren't falling off.
Anyway, that's what I did with my gently-driven stock 09 coupe. No problems.
From another thread:
...If you don't find them to be obviously loose, I wouldn't necessarily do anything. Don't attempt to torque them up, that is certain. Having the nuts loose is not a particularly dangerous situation unless you have a lot of horse power. The axle isn't going to fall off or out of the car. Having the nuts loose can contribute to some rear end noise but that is for the most part the extent of the risk. The hub is still attached to the control arm. Over torquing is more dangerous than too loose as you can damage the spindle...
...The spindle nuts are not intended to be re-torqued because they have a concave surface on the bottom that flattens at torque to mate intimately with the face. This is intended to really be a one shot deal.
...additional attempts at torquing the nut can actually start to pull the spindle forward and all sorts of interesting things can begin to happen at greater power levels.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ng-danger.html
Strictly speaking, everything I've read says the axle nuts are one-time use.
That said, when I discovered my axle nuts were loose, I did NOT replace 'em.
And I did NOT torque to spec (160 lbs?)... just tightened 'em by hand & snugged a bit with a socket.
Since the only downside to loose axle nuts seems to be noise, I didn't see an urgency to replace 'em... just checked annually to see that they weren't falling off.
Anyway, that's what I did with my gently-driven stock 09 coupe. No problems.
From another thread:
...If you don't find them to be obviously loose, I wouldn't necessarily do anything. Don't attempt to torque them up, that is certain. Having the nuts loose is not a particularly dangerous situation unless you have a lot of horse power. The axle isn't going to fall off or out of the car. Having the nuts loose can contribute to some rear end noise but that is for the most part the extent of the risk. The hub is still attached to the control arm. Over torquing is more dangerous than too loose as you can damage the spindle...
...The spindle nuts are not intended to be re-torqued because they have a concave surface on the bottom that flattens at torque to mate intimately with the face. This is intended to really be a one shot deal.
...additional attempts at torquing the nut can actually start to pull the spindle forward and all sorts of interesting things can begin to happen at greater power levels.
Last edited by CO Lightfoot; 10-10-2012 at 04:59 PM.
10-10-2012, 11:07 AM
#9
Drifting
I had the rear axle nuts replaced on my '06 coupe last month for the same reason, they were working loose, loctite appplied and the new axle nuts were torqued to 160 ft lbs per TSB. All is well...
MT
10-10-2012, 11:41 AM
#10
Race Director
You'll need a gawd-awful large metric socke3t, 31-33MM, can't recall precise size anymore. I do know they ain't cheap, considering it'll be used for one thing.
FYI: Dealer replaced nuts on my '08 Z06 using new nuts & loctite per TSB. Been 7 or so thousand miles since, sounds like one or both may be loose, again. Back to the dealer.
10-10-2012, 02:22 PM
#12
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: Coloring within the lines
Posts: 27,482
Received 1,922 Likes
on
1,335 Posts
10-10-2012, 02:42 PM
#13
Just one thing if you go the DYI route.
You'll need a gawd-awful large metric socke3t, 31-33MM, can't recall precise size anymore. I do know they ain't cheap, considering it'll be used for one thing.
FYI: Dealer replaced nuts on my '08 Z06 using new nuts & loctite per TSB. Been 7 or so thousand miles since, sounds like one or both may be loose, again. Back to the dealer.
You'll need a gawd-awful large metric socke3t, 31-33MM, can't recall precise size anymore. I do know they ain't cheap, considering it'll be used for one thing.
FYI: Dealer replaced nuts on my '08 Z06 using new nuts & loctite per TSB. Been 7 or so thousand miles since, sounds like one or both may be loose, again. Back to the dealer.
10-10-2012, 02:43 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Just one thing if you go the DYI route.
You'll need a gawd-awful large metric socke3t, 31-33MM, can't recall precise size anymore. I do know they ain't cheap, considering it'll be used for one thing.
FYI: Dealer replaced nuts on my '08 Z06 using new nuts & loctite per TSB. Been 7 or so thousand miles since, sounds like one or both may be loose, again. Back to the dealer.
You'll need a gawd-awful large metric socke3t, 31-33MM, can't recall precise size anymore. I do know they ain't cheap, considering it'll be used for one thing.
FYI: Dealer replaced nuts on my '08 Z06 using new nuts & loctite per TSB. Been 7 or so thousand miles since, sounds like one or both may be loose, again. Back to the dealer.
10-10-2012, 03:16 PM
#15
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
Posts: 15,335
Received 1,505 Likes
on
808 Posts
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Anyone have a part number for the axle nuts? I'm getting ready to change out brake pads so I figure while I'm there I'll check the nuts and if they're loose, I'll replace them with new ones.
10-10-2012, 04:59 PM
#16
Safety Car
I just happened to have these...
A 33mm socket worked great for me. Got mine under $20 at O'Reillys. They let me test-fit the socket before I bought it. That is, IIRC some folks get a better fit with 32mm.
A 33mm socket worked great for me. Got mine under $20 at O'Reillys. They let me test-fit the socket before I bought it. That is, IIRC some folks get a better fit with 32mm.
Last edited by CO Lightfoot; 10-10-2012 at 05:08 PM.
10-10-2012, 07:23 PM
#18
SUBVETTE
10-10-2012, 09:06 PM
#20
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,991
Received 2,070 Likes
on
1,375 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
Our 2006 needed a 33mm deep socket, the 2009 needs a 34mm.
