Before I got my current Ingersoll-Rand 1/2" drive air wrench, which merrily
installs and removes every 46mm axle nut I've come across since, we used a
3/4" drive flex bar (AKA "breaker bar") and a ten foot section of 1&1/2"
galvanized pipe, vehicle in 1st gear or reverse, somebody standing on the
brake pedal. Awkward as hell, but quite effective. To re-torque, just
approximate: 100 lbs, 3.5 ft. from the nut would be 350 ft./lbs. Then
tighten to the next tightest place where you can get a cotter pin through.
Don't loosen up to get the pin through. If you went too far and can't
tighten enough you'll have to back off and try again.

Coby Smolens --

Co-founder and secretary of the board of the Marin Sudbury School -
Working to realize the vision of self-directed learning in a real
democracy for kids five to nineteen.

Owner of Valley Wagonworks - Intimitely acquainted with Volkswagen Vans
since 1959.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Dana E Hager
> Sent: Sunday, August 15, 1999 1:21 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Rear wheel axle nut torque
>
>
> Anyone know where to find a torque wrench or adapter to torque the rear
> axle nut. Bentley requires 369 ft lb and the largest wrench I can find
> goes to 250 ft lb. The August Hot VWs shows an article using Kymco's
> Torque Meister (Rocky Mt.. Motorworks) and drum plate adapter but it
> does not look like it would work for a 87 Vanagon.
>
> How does the list group do it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dana E Hager
> Nazareth, PA
>