PROBLEM: Torquing the rear axel shafts on a Q

[John Nordling]

I'm putting the rear axels back in a '90 Q45 and just can't find a way to get a torque wrench on the 14mm bolts. I can get a crow's foot attachment on the bolts, but I've already started to 'round' one of the bolt heads because the crow's foot is not a very tight fit like a socket or box end wrench.

Anyone got any advice????

Thanks in advance................John in Seattle

[DAEDALUS]

Jointed socket?

[maxnix]

Using a precision forged socket like SnapOn or Mac imperative. Don't go for close enough fit of Autozone made in China types.

[John Nordling]

Tried my jointed socket, can't get enough room for either an extension or the torque wrench head with that approach either. My tools are Craftsman, and I have both 6-point and 12-point, so quality and fit shouldn't be a problem, just the amount of room available.

Anyone who has replaced a driveshaft must have had to overcome the same problem. Please chime in..............John

[DAEDALUS]

The driveshaft-diff flange I've recently removed with a Craftsman socket and a generic jointed union. Look around, there may be thinner-walled or shorter sockets out there. Are you doing the half-shafts or the driveshaft?

[John Nordling]

I'm doing the axle shafts. I did the driveshaft and like you, I didn't have a problem - more room. There must be some trick for the axles?

[FarFetched]

Just a little hint When you getting ready to do any type of suspension work or even engine, spray every bolt-nut with PB BLASTER You will fall in love with R+R processes!It makes torqueing bolts-nuts so much easier. Also, easier to clean threads!Cheers!What I do usually, hand tighten all bolt-nuts and that do 90 degree turns in criss-cross sequence till they all tight "approximately 1/4 turn before they break" LOL

[FarFetched]

Where in Seattle are you?

[John Nordling]

Would have answered sooner, but just got back from Sandpoint, Idaho. I live down on the west side of Renton.

I really don't want to guess on the torque because of the spinning nature of the components and they are at about a 70lb-ft setting. Not something you can intuitively 'feel.'

[RobertsnewQ]

Your torque reading won't be accurate with crows-foot or flexi socket on there, FYI...

[sijoko]

I have loosened and installed those bolts probably about 15 times by now.

To remove just use a closed end wrench and a rubber mallet or you can have someone just hold the brakes for you as you loosen them.

To install: I leave the trans in neutral and the parking brake off. I hand tighten everything till the bolts make contact. Then I use the rubber mallet on the wrench technique.

Because the car is in neutral, you can't put too much torque on them. The flange will spin first. But everything will be nice and tight without any problems.

Just make sure that you get all of them. I like this method because you can get a pretty even amount of torque on each of the bolts.

-sijoko

[John Nordling]

Thought I ought to get back about what I did. Found out that 'crows feet' come in different configuarations. NAPA sells a set for about $16 that is made to go on flare nuts on tubing, so the contact area is much greater than in a regular open-end wrench style crows foot. Worked just fine; no rounding of the nuts!

I know the torque is off because of the crows foot extension, so I just set the torque in the middle of the range. The additional lever action is less than an inch, so I felt that would be close enough.......Best I can do. Don't know what they do at Infiniti shops.

Thanks for all the suggestions..........John:)

[RobertsnewQ]

Don't know what they do at Infiniti shops.

Probably just give them a nice tug with a box end and call it a day. Knowing the general level of technical skill at a stealership, expecting them to torque them is asking a lot.

Glad you got it worked out.