How to Remove the Front Spindle Nut in a 95 Honda Accord

The front spindle nut on a 1995 Honda Accord is a single-use nut. This nut contains an outer flange that must be staked into a groove on the end of the axle shaft. The staking procedure prevents the nut from loosening when the vehicle is driven, but necessitates the replacement of the nut when its removed. In order to remove the 36 mm axle nut, the staked portion of the nut must be pounded out of the axle shaft to allow the nut to spin freely.

Instructions

Removal

1

Break the front lug nuts loose with a lug nut socket and a t-handle breaker bar.

2

Lift the front of the vehicle with a jack and set it down on jack stands

3

Remove the lug nuts and wheel. Locate the axle nut in the center of the rotor, on the end of the axle shaft. Align a steel punch with the staked-in portion of the axle nut, then use a hammer to drive the punch into the staked-in portion to undo the staking.

4

Place a 36 mm socket on the end of a t-handle breaker bar and place the socket over the axle nut. Ask an assistant to hold a large pry in-between the wheel studs; this holds the hub still so the axle and transmission arent damaged.

5

Loosen and remove the axle nut, then discard it.

Installation

6

Install a new axle nut onto the axle shaft, and have an assistant hold the pry bar between the wheel studs again.

7

Tighten the nut and torque it to 181 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

8

Align a steel punch with the channel on the axle shaft, then strike the punch with a hammer to stake the new nut into place.

9

Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts, then lower the vehicle back to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.