Beating myself up tying to loosen the rear shaft to flange nuts.
PB Blaster, torch, floorjack on end of wrench for leverage.....
Whats next ?
Rear driveshaft flange nuts - ultimate bitch !
- alotawatts
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:52 am
- Location: Seattle WA
Rear driveshaft flange nuts - ultimate bitch !
Three E12's and one R27






This has / does usually work for me.
A trick from a friend, which I now use almost without thinking.
And, when someone else is watching, I'll usually hear either, "You're tightening it" or "Righty tighty lefty loosey".
The trick is to attempt to tighten it first. Even if it doesn't make a move you notice, it'll usually be enough to break the corrosive resistance that then allows the "lefty loosey" to work.
Placing the wrench, socket and breaker bar, etc. on the nut or bolt and tapping with a BFH will usually do the trick.
If PB Blaster or other penetrant is used, this initial "righty tighty" move allows the penetrant to move into position and start working from the other side.
GL...
A trick from a friend, which I now use almost without thinking.
And, when someone else is watching, I'll usually hear either, "You're tightening it" or "Righty tighty lefty loosey".
The trick is to attempt to tighten it first. Even if it doesn't make a move you notice, it'll usually be enough to break the corrosive resistance that then allows the "lefty loosey" to work.
Placing the wrench, socket and breaker bar, etc. on the nut or bolt and tapping with a BFH will usually do the trick.
If PB Blaster or other penetrant is used, this initial "righty tighty" move allows the penetrant to move into position and start working from the other side.
GL...
Sherman
TexFest LSB&F V
95 525iT (Her DD)
92 ///M5 (????)
91 ///M5 (T donor)
88 ///M5 (Das Beast)
86 535i (Snob)
79 528i (1st 5er)
TexFest LSB&F V
95 525iT (Her DD)
92 ///M5 (????)
91 ///M5 (T donor)
88 ///M5 (Das Beast)
86 535i (Snob)
79 528i (1st 5er)
I wouldn't exactly call them easy, but I've never had any major problems. It's against all the rules, but I'll use a combination end wrench, then hook a larger combo end wrench's box end over the 17MM open end for added leverage. Running the risk of bending/breaking a wrench is better than not getting something loose you need to, or bending/breaking your knuckles when something lets loose when you have all your strength put into it. 
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
AMEN!
I have an 'equalizer'. A piece of thick aluminum pipe about 18' long that slips over just about every wrench needing 'equalization'. No busted knuckles.
Best tool I ever owned.
Best tool I ever owned.
HTH
'80 528i
'80 528i
- Peter Florance
- Site Admin
- Posts: 539
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:32 pm
- Location: Virginia Beach VA
- Contact:
I did it the same thing. I was pulling for all I had and my friend Mike said "put some a** behind it!"Mike W. wrote:I wouldn't exactly call them easy, but I've never had any major problems. It's against all the rules, but I'll use a combination end wrench, then hook a larger combo end wrench's box end over the 17MM open end for added leverage. Running the risk of bending/breaking a wrench is better than not getting something loose you need to, or bending/breaking your knuckles when something lets loose when you have all your strength put into it.
Then he looked at me (135lbs) and said "oh I see the problem; get out of the way and let me do it!"
Peter Florance
First Fives.Org - The E12 Registry
1981 E-Street Prepared Euro BMW 528i w/3.5L & Megasquirt Fuel Injection
http://www.firstfives.org
mailto:peter@firstfives.org
First Fives.Org - The E12 Registry
1981 E-Street Prepared Euro BMW 528i w/3.5L & Megasquirt Fuel Injection
http://www.firstfives.org
mailto:peter@firstfives.org
Re: AMEN!
18'Lenny D. wrote:I have an 'equalizer'. A piece of thick aluminum pipe about 18' long that slips over just about every wrench needing 'equalization'. No busted knuckles.
Best tool I ever owned.