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2003 Malibu hub nut spec


BOOMERBOWL
06-16-2008, 04:31 PM
Have to replace front wheel hub. Haynes said torque is 284 ft lb. My torgue wrench only goes to 200 ft lb. Nothing in new hub box. Is this right ????
Thanks for any help.

AD2BU
06-16-2008, 07:20 PM
According to the factory manual 284 lb. ft. is the correct torque. Here is what I did - torque as high as your torgue wrench will go (200 lb. ft.); then, put a 1/2" breaker bar with the correct socket on it and, using a cheater pipe on the breaker bar, take another 1/8 turn.

Some tips:
1. break the nut loose with the wheel on the ground and the weight of the car on it. Use a 1/2" breaker bar and a cheater pipe. This will make it easy. Many low-torque air wrenches won't even budge this nut when you have the car up and the wheel off.
2. make sure your puller does indeed fit over the hub assembly so you can get a few threads on the lug studs. The one I rented didn't fit right and only got about one thread on the studs. After ruining one of the threads, I got a better puller.
3. Support the axle when it is released from the hub, don't let it hang there. Any piece of wire or coat hanger will work.
4. getting a wrench (especially a torque wrench) on the back side near the boot was tight. Take your time so you don't cut the boot.

Good luck with the repair.

BOOMERBOWL
06-17-2008, 02:22 PM
Thanks for your help.

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