Van: 2010 dodge Grand caravan 3.3 flexfuel
Mileage: 144,000
My hubby and I replace our wheel bearing last night. It was a bear and after a struggle and much determination on my part. We got it off new one on.
Dilemma: the nut is size 32 socket, using the impact driver we cant get it back on. Took some photos of the spindle sent it to my brother. Even though it looks a bit rough he says it should go back on. It might be hard but should go on and better to do it by hand. I spent time cleaning the spindle today while hubby was at work.
We are now thinking maybe we should rethread that out side part of the spindle. The nut goes on flush with the end but cant get it past that point and the spindle looks kinda rough where we are trying to get it past.
So the question: what size threads is on the spindle? I looked up the cv axle on O'Reilly auto parts and the spec listed for the threads was 22m x 1.5 , i am assuming that would be what size the spindle is currently on the van. If it is ,what size rethreading die would we use?
We are just not sure what we need to rethread this? Any help and suggestions on which die to buy would be appreciated.
Well it's very hard to rethread those things whenever I had a problem like that I just bit the bullet and bought an aftermarket axle assembly I can often get them for as little as $60.
22m x 1.5 , i am assuming that would be what size the spindle is currently on the van. If it is ,what size rethreading die would we use?
That would be a M22 diameter, with 1.5mm thread pitch. But I wouldn't go out and buy a die.
First of all it will be very expensive, and second you can usually fix big threads like that with a small triangle file.
In the worst case, just buy a new axle as Scotty suggests. (it will probably cost less than the die).
You can also hit the threads with a wire wheel (you can get them for a drills and grinders), or wire brush, to get rid of any corrosion.
Don't be afraid to use a little force installing the nut. Those big threads can take it.
