This is a REALLY noob question but what the Fawk? I have a Dana 44 out of an 87 Waggy and have it disassembled down to the knuckles. I have the top nut off the knuckle (The one with the cotter pin) but there's not enough room to get an adjustable wrench into the space where the lower nut is. So I need to go out and buy a combo wrench that will fit but I have no idea what size that lower nut is. It's smaller than the top one and seems to be 1 1/4". Anyone who knows for sure please let me know. I know it's time to get a larger wrench set but I'm waiting for my tax return and am antsy to get this axle rolling.

Thanks.

:jeep:

Just take out the trusty tape measure and figure it out, OR go to the parts store and have them pull the lower ball joint and take it over to the tools and find a socket that fits. Good luck but you shoulda been able to figure this out......

not the best answer but if its not all rusted up and you can't wait get out a big cresenct or a pipe wrench

Its either an 1 1/4 or 1 5/16, Sears has a large combo wrench kit for sale with 6 large wrenchs and its only like 60 bucks. Other wise its about 20 bucks for one wrench.

I just turned the knuckle all the way to one side and was able to get a socket on it??? Get some Knocker Loose or PB blaster on it too ;)

I can check it tonight for you if you want.

Why is there not enough room for a socket and ratchet on the lower nut?
Are you trying to sepperate these with the shafts and spindles still on?
Pull the spindles, pull the shafts, put your ratchet in through the spindle hole in the knuckle. You'll have almost 180 degrees of turn on the wrench.

It is 1 and 1/8 :beer:

Thanks for the info. Yes, the spindle and shaft are still on. My manual covers nothing on taking these apart so I'm doing it all the hard way. I am learning by leaps and bounds...only way to do it is to jump into the deep end.

So I have everything out except for the short axle, spindle and knuckle. Should the axle just pull out at this point? Looking at it, it seems like I would have to disassemble the knuckle to get the axle out which is why I'm fighting this lower nut that I can't get to. I'm going to Sears in the morning to get a larger wrench set but it still seems I can't get in there.

I feel really noobed over this but we all have to start somewhere.

Thanks again.

:eek:Kenji:eek:

Don't worry about it. Leave the knuckle on, pull the caliper mounts and spindles then just grab the axle and pull it out. The axle joint is small enough to go through the knuckle hole.
Now you'll have tons of room to work on the knuckle.

The spindle could be a bitch to pull sometimes. I'm assuming you don't have a spindle puller so just take one of the spindle nuts and screw it on the bare spindle. Give it taps around the nut with a soft hammer or mallet or a piece of wood, you'll see the spindle pulling away from the knuckle. Don't cock it over too much, just a little around the spindle at all the clock positions and it will pop off.