The problem with your solution is that you were damaging the hubs as you
drove home. Unless you were servicing the wheel bearings or needed to
replace the backing plates, there was no need to remove the axle nuts.
The brakes are fully serviceable with the hubs or flanges in place.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Mark A. Kreuzer
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 10:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Tip for getting off rear axle nuts

My first attempt was a the socket with a 3/4  to 1/2 "adapter connected
to a
1/2 breaker bar with a 3 foot long black pipe over it.  first I pushed
on
it. nothing.  Then I stood on it. nothing.  Then I move a little and
BAM!!
Something goes flying out the garage door and lands in the front seat of
our
79 convertible bug.  It's was half of the adapter. split down the
middle.

The real solution was to drive it over to a trusted local brake shop and
have them hit it with an impact wrench.  5 seconds and they were off
like
butter.  Tightened it up a little and drove home and got to work on the
rear
end.  Impact wrench all the way baby!

AND, on a side note.   I guess there really is something to tightening
lug
nuts. not an urban legend as I suspected.  I had just finished working
on
the front end and thought I'd just snug the lug nuts cause I was only
driving a couple of miles.  Mile 1.5 I hear this growling noise.  I knew
what it was. pulled over and sure enough. those little suckers were
coming
loose.

-- mark