I was working on removing a front axle-nut from a wrecked Prius. I got it off. I just need the knuckle with the bearing inside and I managed to remove the top bolts on the knuckle and the bottom. original axle-nut thread: Any ideas about how to remove this axle-nut? | PriusChat However, I am having big problem with the tie-rod nut that had a cotter-pin in it which I removed. There isn't much to hold for a 17mm socket and I stripped the nut; it isn't a solid piece and socket has just the bottom to hold onto. Now I am thinking about taking off the tie-rod but it won't rotate as its still hooked up to the knuckle, correct? I only have a couple of daylight hours left. Any advice would be appreciated on how to remove this.
You cut through what's left of the nut with a chisel, and then you put a new nut on the threads (to protect them) and then you whack that with a hammer to pop it free. Undo the nut and it drops out.
I don't have a chisel. I don't have a hammer. I basically have a socket set, a breaker bar, a small prybar and some now broken screwdrivers. also a vise, pliers. I ruined the nut by using the pliers after it wouldn't work with the 17mm socket. its on a wrecked car so I don't care about that car that much. Just want to get the knuckle off and move it to the new car. However if I can't do that tonight I have an appointment tomorrow to take it to a shop who will put the wrecked-car's knuckle on my car for me. thats why its kindof urgent. If i can't do it tonight, EDIT: I'm starting to think I may just have a bad axle rather than a bearing. after watching many youtube videos stumbled across one that had very similar wheel symptoms to bearings. I managed to pull the front-axle out.
One way or another, you get the remains of the nut off. There are nut-splitter tools, which it sounds like you don't have. Banging a chisel with a hammer would be a sort of poor-man's substitute for a nut splitter, but it sounds like you haven't got a chisel or a hammer. I have used a Dremel to cut through a stubborn nut when I didn't have a nut splitter and didn't want to try to bang through it with a chisel and hammer. But perhaps you haven't got a Dremel either. You may be able to borrow some tools from a local auto parts place. (Leave them a deposit and get it back when you return the tool.) I understand wanting to finish the job using only things you have on hand, but not every job works out that way.
RESOLVED: All these axle-related nuts and bolts have been very difficult to remove. The tie-rod crown-nut that is very hard to NOT strip the 6-sides had to be cut-off in a mechanics shop. The steel is very hard and a nut-cutter wouldn't do it. Tbh that is a useless tool. Hammer and chisel didn't work either, so had to take it to the shop.
