Uploaded August 2016 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Hey everyone. Does this clicking sound familiar?
If so you probably need to re torque your rear axle nuts before your ruin your wheel hubs. Today I’ll show you how.
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Tools necessary:
- Impact Gun / 3/4" Breaker Bar
- 36mm Socket
- Torque Wrench
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Staking tool / Hammer & Chisel
- Wheel Bearing Grease
Steps.
1. If your wheels have center caps remove them. If the nut is staked along this yellow line this likely means your rear axle nut has never been removed and retorqued. This is a sure sign that you should perform this DIY.
2. Remove the rear axle nut using a 36mm socket. If you don’t have a very powerful impact gun you will need to use a ¾ inch breaker bar. If you use a ½ inch breaker bar it can break, ask me how I know.
3. Ideally you want to reinstall the axle nut and torque it to over 300 ft-lbs. Your torque wrench likely won’t reach more than 200 ft-lbs but that is OK. Apply a thin layer of grease to the back side of the nut and reinstall it using a 36mm socket. Torque it to 150-180 ft-lbs.
4. Grab your ¾ inch breaker bar or impact gun and turn the nut at least another 60 degrees. If you look carefully at the nut you can see how many degrees it has moved by looking at where the nut was previously staked. In my case I moved it a bit more than 90 degrees but that is OK since these nuts can take a ton of torque.
5. Stake the nut using a staking tool or a hammer and chisel.
6. Replace your center caps if you have them and take your car for a test drive.
Hey everyone. Does this clicking sound familiar?
If so you probably need to re torque your rear axle nuts before your ruin your wheel hubs. Today I’ll show you how.
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Tools necessary:
- Impact Gun / 3/4" Breaker Bar
- 36mm Socket
- Torque Wrench
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Staking tool / Hammer & Chisel
- Wheel Bearing Grease
Steps.
1. If your wheels have center caps remove them. If the nut is staked along this yellow line this likely means your rear axle nut has never been removed and retorqued. This is a sure sign that you should perform this DIY.
2. Remove the rear axle nut using a 36mm socket. If you don’t have a very powerful impact gun you will need to use a ¾ inch breaker bar. If you use a ½ inch breaker bar it can break, ask me how I know.
3. Ideally you want to reinstall the axle nut and torque it to over 300 ft-lbs. Your torque wrench likely won’t reach more than 200 ft-lbs but that is OK. Apply a thin layer of grease to the back side of the nut and reinstall it using a 36mm socket. Torque it to 150-180 ft-lbs.
4. Grab your ¾ inch breaker bar or impact gun and turn the nut at least another 60 degrees. If you look carefully at the nut you can see how many degrees it has moved by looking at where the nut was previously staked. In my case I moved it a bit more than 90 degrees but that is OK since these nuts can take a ton of torque.
5. Stake the nut using a staking tool or a hammer and chisel.
6. Replace your center caps if you have them and take your car for a test drive.
