Repair ???, so im posting here, but it is escort/tracer related.

[g3ride69]

I have a 1997 mercury tracer... (escort). With abs.

The right front (passenger) steering knuckle is being replaced.
But I cant get the large spindle nut off... To pull the knuckle off of the cv shaft.

I used a small screw driver and un-bent the little divet part that was bent in.

Are these left handed threads? I only did moderate attemps each way and never made it move.... There isnt a little "L" on the end of the shaft (which is my usual clue)

All replies are appreciate!

Randall
G3ride69@msn.com

[villageidiot]

get your socket and a nice 2 foot breaker bar, on the aspire and festiva they are normal threads, sometimes just insanely tight

might use an impact gun if ya have access to one

[htchbck]

Soak it with PB or Kroil, put the socket on it and whack the socket a few times with a hammer... then try taking it off again in a few hours or the next day. I did both axles on a 99 scort recently and both sides were normal right hand thread. And Village is right, Impact gun if ya got it, big breaker bar if you don't. Please don't use the impact gun to reinstall the axle nut though

[denguy]

How about applying some heat?

[xaero_81]

I would think heat may melt the outer seal.

[Dustin]

A trick I've used with success is to put the proper 6-sided socket on the nut (preferably 3/4" drive, but 1/2" drive will work), then get a breaker bar with a three or four foot cheater pipe. Clock the breaker bar at the 9 o' clock position, then have a helper stand on the brake pedal while you stand (and carefully/gently bounce) on the breaker bar. This has always worked for me. Every shaft I've ever changed (maybe 20 or so) has always been regular thread. I.e. lefty loosey, righty tighty.... Good luck!

[g3ride69]

if this was FB i would LIKE LIKE LIKE!

thank you all! i am confident in putting my back into it now!

randall

[FestYboy]

when putting everything back together, do yourself a favor and get a torque wrench rated for 250 lb-ft and set it to 130 lb-ft. Snug up the nut and then use the torque wrench to finish the job.