The devil lives in a nut

Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:59 pm

I need some help...

I have been trying to undo my prop from the diff during my M52 conversion. I got 3 of the nuts off with a little localised heat from a small blow torch, but the last 1 is not budging. So far I have tried:

brute strength
big lever
Blow torch
WD40
'shock & unlock' spray
more brute strength
a bath of penetrating fluid soaking the nut for 2 days
a nut splitter

The thing broke a brand new nut splitter today! Instead of splitting the nut it sheared the threaded part of the splitter. The d@mn thing will not shift and is now quite mullered from the nut splitter episode (tried in 2 places, no joy)
I am convinced the devil has taken residence in the nut and is messing with me.

What the h3ll does anyone suggest now to shift the nut? I don't have masses of room under the car - it's on the highest setting of my axle stands front & rear and I don't want to use a grinder as it's a bit too close to the petrol tank for my liking.

All hints and tips welcomed. The conversion has stalled as a result of this!

Mon Jun 27, 2011 11:50 pm

Just bludgeon it off with a cold chisel now.

Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:10 am

That was my thinking, just wondered if there was anything less brutal I could do.

So far I have spent 4 hours, yes 4, trying to shift just 1 nut. Everything else has gone well on the conversion apart from this!

Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:26 am

grinder

Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:26 am

wet a towel and cover up as much of the fuel tank as you can, then angle grind the fooker

Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:46 am

I wouldnt start beating lumps out of it, as bear in mind the 20 year old pinion shaft bearing on the diff is taking all the force from everything you throw at that shaft.

Grinder or sabresaw is what i'd use.

Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:03 am

I had to take a grinder to 2 exhaust bolts for the same reasons (neighbours car i am re-building), i did the first to show him how you do it, he did the second. Now for the funny bit, he did get the bolt off, however he managed (i have no idea how) to grind a 1 inch hole in the exhaust pipe, know i have to repair that too.

Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:56 am

I love the various views on what to do next - thanks for all suggestions.

I'm going to start with a lump hammer and cold chisel. The nut already has a groove in it from the nut splitter so I have something to work with. I'm not too fused about the diff because the ratio is wrong for my conversion and it's not a LSD which I will now need. If that doesn't work then I'm getting my sabre saw out.

I will update you on any progress I make and will probably post a photo of the offending b@stard which has taken hours of my life away from me.