size of front wheel axle nut

[mikeyo]

hi i have to do my brakes and change the bearings. i have an awful rough moan when cruising (not when accelerating though). what size socket do i need to get the nut off? thanks

[Andy Illes]

Hiyya Mike.

Before you rip your bearings apart, remember that U-joints can make that kindda noise too.... even without the usual "clunking" when you shift gears or manually work the driveshaft, like on a lighter vehicle.  Both kinds will usually get noisier with speed.

One fairly reliable differential test is to see if your noise changes in turns at a speed you normally hear it... like on freeway entrance ramps.  Bearings seldom fail in pairs, and since the outside bearing gets loaded more in a turn (L bearing in a R turn, vice-versa) the bad one will get louder when loaded and less noisy when unloaded.  On the other hand, U-joint (and other driveline noises) will stay about the same in turns, if the speed stays constant.  

Also keep in mind that wheel bearing noises usually stay the same accelerating or decelerating (in a straight line), while U-joint and other driveline noises will usually change when you let off the gas.

Good luck, Andy

[Conrad]

My Clipper came with the lug nut removal tool.  You may not have one.  The socket 'bar' actually has two socket sizes, one on each end.  The leverage bar is about 3' long.  It fits in to the socket bar.  The long bar provides more leverage.  Believe me, it works.  I had a blowout on the road one day and was surprised at how easy it broke the nuts free.  But it is heavy and somewhat awkward to use.

Air tools is how I would do it at home.