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DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: Jay-Vee on August 12, 2016, 11:52:46 PM

Title: Axle Nut Locking Plate Help
Post by: Jay-Vee on August 12, 2016, 11:52:46 PM

Hi guys,


I'm having trouble removing the locking plates on the rear axle nuts...

I think they're rusted on so much that using a chisel to help is just deforming them without actually freeing them (see pic attached)
Its like they've fused with the hub/nut or something.

Any tips or help appreciated.


Cheers.

Title: Re: Axle Nut Locking Plate Help
Post by: DesktopDave on August 14, 2016, 07:59:12 AM

I don't use a chisel for those lock plates, it's too wide. I just get a cheap flathead screwdriver and use it as a drift down the retaining grooves to pound in the lock plate tangs.
(http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww299/desktopdave/th_20160731_131427_zpsmjhiu7t0.jpg) (http://s729.photobucket.com/user/desktopdave/media/20160731_131427_zpsmjhiu7t0.jpg.html)

This usually destroys the lock plate, so you'll definitely need new ones before starting. Having said that, I have had success at pounding them back in to shape, even after my traumatic removal method. I wouldn't recommend it, but in an emergency, I'd suspect you could drive around for a little while before replacing those plates.

Title: Re: Axle Nut Locking Plate Help
Post by: Jay-Vee on August 15, 2016, 04:05:29 AM

Ok thanks for the tip, I'll give it a go with a screwdriver and just work my way around.

I'm mainly dismantling it so I wasnt looking at keeping the hubs but I would have liked to keep the axle shafts...

See how we go :)

Title: Re: Axle Nut Locking Plate Help
Post by: DesktopDave on August 19, 2016, 07:31:51 PM

You won't have to replace anything but those little locking plates. They're only a few dollars each. Once you bend the tangs inward a bit and slide them out, the axle nut is easy enough to remove. They're not staked onto the driveshaft stub or anything like that. If you can't get at them, just drive it over to a local garage. I'd bet a professional-grade impact wrench could spin those nuts right off regardless of locking plates and they wouldn't charge you much.

Here's the parts diagram. (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=AJ93-USA-08-1990-E30-BMW-318i&diagId=33_0470) You'll need two "securing plates" (PN 33411124945) and maybe two new "collar nuts" (PN 33411125664).