So, I replace the passanger side not too long ago. Now, the driver side is bad. The axle nut was loose, I looked at tightening it however, I have already done that once. My question is, why or what would be causing these to go bad? It's driving my crazy, I want to put new tires on but, not untill I get this figured out. Oh, and NOBODY around here has new ones other than the dealer ($200.00 or so) So, I'm just going to the junk yard. That seemed to work on the passanger side. BTW, 1992 Loyale Wagon 4WD EA82. :confused: :confused: :confused:

I looked at tightening it however, I have already done that once

 

I *think* the spec is in the vicinity of 150 ft/lbs, which is damm tight, or as tight as I can get one without breaking a 36" bar. Once worn they will continue to loosen.

Yeah they were tightened to spec. Oh maybe about 2500 miles ago as I did the front bearings and hub on the passanger side....So, I checked the driver side, it was a little loose than. Now, it was WAY loose, What causes them to go bad though? Is there anything I could do to avoid future failure as I have no way of getting new ones other than waiting a week from the stealership.

What causes them to go bad though?

 

Not tight enough

Special washer (behind the nut) backwards (it's marked)

(I have never had one "go bad" so I'm only guessing)

 

I have no way of getting new ones

 

I have a used one here you could have, but it's under 4' of ice and snow, and about a $20 bill to ship. Surely someone has one closer. I'm in the same boat dealer wise, though I do get "trade price", it's still a week's wait for anything, or a $50 bill for air freight.

What if you installed that bevel washer upside down?

The cone washer gets a lip crushed into it over time and repeated torquing. This lip catches and prevents the cone washer from seating properly and distributing the load. Usually a small file will take the edge down enough to make it work again. If you change alot of axles though, the ridge will come back, and get worse, to the point were filing won't help.

 

Other less probable causes are a damaged spacer between the 2 bearings, or stripping spline inside the hub, where the axle comes through.

Well after looking further the cone washer does have an edge to it. So, that's going to need to be replaced. I'm woundering if just doing that would be okay? That hub splines don't look as bad as the passanger side did however, I'm betting it should be replaced. I have a junk yark not very far from me that has probably 5 or so EA81's and maybe another 5 or so EA82's. If I remember correctly I replaced the passanger side with one from an 81 as it was the lowest milage one on the lot and the best looking. So, looks like a trip to the JY is in order first thing in the morning. I believe they are 9.99 there and it's 1.00 to get in. So, not to bad I suppose. Just a pain if you get one that's not in good shape.

I haven't had luck with filing the cone washers - the problem with that is you will have a hard time making sure it stays round, and evenly sloped without a lathe. For the price of new ones.... if you need it NOW, by all means either pick up a used one or file it carefully if you have to, but order NEW ones and replace it before it becomes a problem again.

 

If it were me, I would replace the hub with a used one, as well as the cone washer. The splines inside the hub wear, and the movement of the hub on the axle splines is what causes the cone washer to wear in the first place. These are NOT wear items. If properly cared for and torqued each time they should easily last the life of the car and then some.

 

GD

What part isn't a wear item? The cone washer, the hub, or both? I'm hoping both....I'm going to the JY in the morning and will be picking up a hub, washer (both) and axle nut. Oh, and of course using a new cotter pin.