What is this Dana 30 spindle nut?

This is a pic of my D30 spindle nut. You can see 5 holes around it...I assume for a tool to insert and remove/install. Can anyone tell me more about this? I need to find the tool to remove it.

I tried a punch and it did move a fraction of an inch but stopped. I don't want to force it until I know what I'm dealing with.

 

Clean the grease from the holes and see if there is an allen screw in there. The Warn auto-locking hubs use a lock nut like this. The allen screws in the holes lock into a perforated washer behind the nut. If there are screws, I expect you won't get very far by forcing it.

 

Why does it look like there is some sort of external snap ring in that photo?

 

Thanks Tim! You were spot on! The set screws were a bear to try and get out. In fact, I had to leave one in and just use a punch to get the washer to move.

There is no snap ring...it's just the angle and lighting of the shot.

 

There are guys looking for those occasionally so if you're not going to or don't need to use them don't throw them out, somebody might thank you later.

 

Is there a specific tool to remove these? I tried to take my 74 CJ D30 apart to service the bearings and I could not get these apart. I removed the 3 set screws and tried everything I could find to unscrew them but had no luck.

Thanks

Bob

 

Once the set screws are removed I used a small punch inserted into one of the holes to tap the nut until it would spin off...that's the best I can tell you.

I used the standard nut when putting it back together so I didn't really care if they were destroyed in the process of removing them.

 

If you want to save the nut, you might try to turn it with a sharp cold chisel. Put a nick in the outer edge, and tap it with the chisel to turn. If you tap on the threaded holes, you'll likely smash the threads and the set screws wont go back in.

Also, if there are 3 threaded holes, the other two (directly across from each other) are likely for a spanner or socket that fits into them. If they aren't threaded, you could tap on those with no damage. Or you could make a spanner/socket...

 

I removed the 3 set screws and tapped on the 2 spanner (non threaded) holes with a chisel and hammer in an attempt to loosen the nut but it would not move. Have I missed something int he removal process? Its not reverse threaded is it?

Bob

 

Wasn't on mine...lefty loosey. Try tapping it to the right lightly and see if it budges...maybe it just needs some wiggle to break free. It's possible someone over-tightened it.

BTW...I forget if it was only 3 set screws...might want to double check in case there were more.

 

Tried that too. It didn't budge. Think I could safely heat it?

 

Spindle nuts should not have to be heated...there is tons of grease in that area (normally). Someone else can comment on the use of heat on that assembly. Personally I'd stay away from it.

If it were mine, I would probably continue with the chisel/drift/punch and hammer routine until it comes loose. But then again, I wasn't concerned with re-using it when I got done.

Just be careful not to drive it inward.

 

Hummm, that's kind of a grey area. Would I do it? Ya, probably would if I was stuck and it wasn't budging but I'd remove as much grease as possible and use an oxy/acetylene brazing tip for very short intervals. You don't want to get that grease blazing. Would I say to you, ya, go ahead. Most likely not but if you do, have a fire extinguisher handy. I don't recall ever having to resort to that though.

 

There is a special tool to remove those Warn Lock-0-matic spindle nuts, I was fortunate enough to find one several years ago from a guy who had a bunch of NOS parts, but you can't put a lot of force on it. The tool is a 5/15 rod that is bent into a U shape and has dowels in both ends that fit into the 2 holes that do not have allen screws. Once you loosen the 3 allen screws the nut normally comes off fairly easily, then there should be a perforated washer and then and large hex nut and then another washer and the outer bearing.

 

Can you send me or post a picture of that? Love to see what it looks like in case I run across one on eBay or someplace else.

 

I may be able to find some smooth hardened pins to put in the holes to make a spanner wrench. Thanks

 

I just removed some from my partster, I used a pair of HF 90 degree snap ring plier as a spanner. Worked OK and did not seem to be close to breaking point.

 

I ended up using a pair of 1" long 1/8" diameter roll pins to break it loose. I took the pins and put them in the non threaded holes and tapped them with a hammer and punch right where the pin and hole came together. A couple of whacks alternating on each one and it loosened right up. Thanks to everyone for the advice. Now I have a nice set of Warn Lock O Matics to sell.

Bob