Depending on where the jack stands were placed the weight behind them is already trying to lift the front off the ground. It is normal for a threaded fastener assembly to require much more torque to loosen then applied for tightening, that is part of how they work. Tension and friction. Rust and corrosion can make things worse. Normally, the brakes can be serviced without removing the hub. It only needs to be removed if servicing the wheel bearings or replacing the backing plate. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Don Hanson
Sent: Sunday, May 8, 2016 9:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: striking caution by dennis

Incredibly, when I was once trying to remove the axle nut from my 84, after getting it all up on jackstands, etc.....

   ....I got a really long cheater bar and put it onto my 3/4" drive
breaker bar, after locking the wheel with the Ebrake.   I put my own full
body weight (165lbs) on the end of the bar...nuthin...  Asked two of my friends to get on that bar with me....We lifted the front of the vanagon off the ground, and still didn't get that nut to budge...Bouncing on that breaker bar with three guys standing on it....the front wheels just bounced up and down....finally cut it off

On Sun, May 8, 2016 at 6:12 AM, mike riley <mkriley1@hotmail.com> wrote:

> You can.t have too many warnings about flying debris! I had to undergo 
> eye surgery to remove a piece of steel from my cornea acquired in a 
> industrial setting with safety glasses, gogeles, and a face shield on. 
> The best way is no impact at all. Take the cotter pins out and have a 
> socket and breaker bar.  Put it on the passnger side twards the front 
> with the handle on the ground. Start the engine and slip the clutch in 
> first gear. It will come off. Alternatively cut the nut off it is 
> false economy to reuse it as the threads are most likely 
> distorted.Mike