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Air-Cooled (o\ ! /o)
Lv 6
Air-Cooled (o\ ! /o) asked in Cars & TransportationCar MakesVolkswagen · 1 decade ago

Need help with rear brakes for a 1975 Beetle?

im restoring a 75 bug and have been trying to remove the 36mm nuts on the back wheels to get to the drums. we have the tire on and the car on the ground, not jacked up, and cannot get the bolt to break loose since its torqued to 250ft-lbs. we have a 6+ foot cheater bar. when we turn the nut(clock-wise to loosen) the entire wheel just spins on the ground. we tried everything even putting a wrench on the pulley on the cam of the motor to stop it from turning the wheel but the wheel still spins on the ground. are there any tricks or advice you have for getting these nuts off the car.

Update:

sorry i meant counter clockwise. and we did put it in gear with the brake on and everything. it wont budge. the tire still spins

3 Answers

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  • karl_68coupe
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You're trying to turn the nut the wrong way. The castellated nuts holding the drums on are standard thread on both sides, meaning righty-tighty, lefty-loosey. Counter-clockwise for removal.

    If you're in the US, put the tranny in 1st, for the right side (passenger) or reverse for the left (driver), and set the parking brake. You may even want someone in the car pressing on the service brakes.

    EDIT: Put someone in the seat mashing hard on the brakes to keep the wheel from spinning. Double check to ensure that the cotter pin is completely removed.

    EDIT (2): the next best idea is to drive the car to a VW guy to use an impact wrench to loosen the nut. Once loosened, retorque it to 150 ft/lb. Tighten it to the next cotter key opening, to drive it home (less than 5 miles, at less than 30 mph). to do the brake job yourself, or pay somone else to do the job for you.

    Source(s): 30+ years owner/restorer
  • ca_surveyor
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Okl.. assuming you did everything the first guy said (turning it the right direction, no cotter pin, brakes on etc.. and the wheel still spins I have only one other suggestiong before I send you off to the mechanic.

    1) Take the spare out of the car and let the air out of it..

    2) Mount THAT tire on the car and let it settle on to the ground (hope it is an old tire cause its going to get abused)

    3) NOW try to turn the wheel with that cheater bar. The tire is no longer round and if you move the car now, then you need some professsional help on it.

    If that didnt work, time to take it to one of those places that offers a 'free' brake inspection.. let them break the nut for you..

    Worst case: You will need to grind off the nut carefully and then replace it after you fix your brakes.

    good luck..

    .

  • battleleader12
    1 decade ago

    if the wheel rim has holes in it to cool the drum try putting a bar through the hole and see if it will lock up.if that doesnt work buy a blow lamp the one plumbers use and apply some heat to the nuts

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