How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.)

**SCOOBYTRAP** · 06-08-2006, 07:04 PM

I'm posting this because it helped reduce the occurance of an annoying click and knocking noise coming from the rear of the car when going forward to reverse and also when decelerating at slow speeds and/or downshifting.

This would be for '04-'05 Sti but as far as I know Subaru uses these Axle nuts on alot of models so it may work for newer models too.

Buy 4 of these for about $3 each:

From here:
http://www.subaru-parts-dealer.com/

-Break the lug nuts free on both sides of the car

-Set the parking brake and/or leave the car in gear, now chuck the wheels of the car at the end you are not lifting

-Lift up one end of the car and support with jackstands

-Remove the lug nuts

-Unlock the axle nut using a screwdriver, narrow pry bar or a ground punch, something strong and thin that you can hammer under the crimp area of the existing axle nut

-For the Rear, set the parking brake firmly. If you want to also do the fronts, you need someone to stand on the brakes to do those...now using a 32MM Axle nut socket, they have a Local PepBoys or equivalent like this:

-Use a breaker bar and break the nut free using the socket. Pic of Axle nut removed:

-Throw that old axle nut away and torque a new nut on the axle. IMPORTANT:you must have the wheels off the ground, any loading on the axle assembly without the nut on can damage bearings. Those with no center caps don't even think about doing this without taking the wheels off/no jacking...not good
REAR: 140 lb-ft or 190 N-m
FRONT: 162 lb-ft or 220 N-m
IMPORTANT: do not over-tighten

-Use a small punch to crimp the nut back into the shaft keyway. Heres a pic of the one I used, I think I used 5/32":

-When you get done pounding that sucker it should look like this:

-put wheels back on
-snug lugs
-lift/remove jacks
-Torque Lug nuts (I use 72 lb-ft)

-Go drive! the click/knock noise should be gone or at least tolerable now.

Note for those without jacks/stands: You can probably do this using your Subaru Jack, only one wheel at a time using standard jacking points.

BurnsWRC · 06-10-2006, 09:30 AM

awsome write up, whoever has a clunk in the rear (other than the struts) should definitly try this. Havent done it yet, but ordered the parts. Thanks Mike !

flytojungho · 06-10-2006, 10:58 AM

why does this create the clicking noise? it's just a nut right? also, is the new one different than the old one? how does it eliminate the noise?

**SCOOBYTRAP** · 06-10-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flytojungho

why does this create the clicking noise? it's just a nut right? also, is the new one different than the old one? how does it eliminate the noise?

If this solves any clicking noise then the old nut was either improperly torqued or has slipped slightly due to hard launches or whatever. I do not know the origin of click. My best guess would be that it preloads the bearings properly and keeps the axle shafts properly aligned, alittle extra play causes noise??? guessing here. If I knew what was causing the noise I'd have more hair.

The new nut is same as old, but you cannot check the torque on the old one. It is crimped and the threads are completely distorted, no matter how good you are bending it back to original shape it will give you erroneous torque numbers if you try to re-torque it. You have to use a new, uncrimped nut to ensure that it is properly torqued, then re-crimp.

MadMan77 · 06-11-2006, 06:32 AM

I do remember a post back in the day saying that someone went to the dealership and they diagnosed a rear clunk with the axle nuts. I just cannot seem to find the post.

munky69 · 06-26-2006, 12:38 PM

i did it to someone's sti when i worked at the dealer. my boss told me to just tighten them though since they weren't even close to spec . tightend them up and never saw the guy again. personally i wanted to put new nuts on there, but it wasn't my call, i can only reccomend stuff

**Alex** · 07-24-2006, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan77

I do remember a post back in the day saying that someone went to the dealership and they diagnosed a rear clunk with the axle nuts. I just cannot seem to find the post.

We've heard the same thing from SOG actually.

stretch · 09-10-2007, 01:52 PM

Apparently this part has been superseded by #902170047. Perhaps a revision was made due to these things loosening up on their own?

river rat · 09-19-2007, 11:25 AM

i posted about this noise when i first bought my sti. since i wasnt use to the "more touchy of a standard tranny" i got the clunking noise all the time and still do. someone told me of an anti clatter kit??? or somthing of the sort, are my nuts just loose? looks like i need to investigate.

i also get a constant rattling noise from the rear like a tire iron laying loose by the spare tire. sounds like metal to metal rattling but ive looked and its all tight? does the rear seat have a latch or somthing that may be loose?

aznboi320 · 09-26-2007, 02:35 AM

i think that is what is causing noises from my rear when i do u-turns and sharp turns

SCCARacer · 09-26-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan77

I do remember a post back in the day saying that someone went to the dealership and they diagnosed a rear clunk with the axle nuts. I just cannot seem to find the post.

I posted a month or two ago about my rear clunk...it ended up being the axle, which we found out after i got 2 rear struts out of the deal. been fine since, but i do know they replaced the whole axle, not just the nut.

**SCOOBYTRAP** · 09-26-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretch

Apparently this part has been superseded by #902170047. Perhaps a revision was made due to these things loosening up on their own?

I don't know, I mean the crimp should hold no matter what...I just think they aren't torqued properly to begin with. Does this part have serrated backing or anything to prevent loosening?

fullerton · 09-26-2007, 03:08 PM

hummm... i looked at the recommended site and subarugenuineparts.com and neither had it...

Psychopat · 10-03-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCCARacer

I posted a month or two ago about my rear clunk...it ended up being the axle, which we found out after i got 2 rear struts out of the deal. been fine since, but i do know they replaced the whole axle, not just the nut.

Same here, got one axle replaced and it fixed the noise. It's actually the splines that rust and create a play between the shaft and the hub.

Now the other side started to do the same. Got to call my dealer before warranty expires

fullerton · 10-03-2007, 07:58 AM

is this part of the powertrain warranty?

i bet i need a new axle out back, but i'd like to try the less expensive route first. i highly doubt they'll warranty my car.

06-08-2006, 07:04 PM	#1
SCOOBYTRAP Gold Member Car: 05 STi CGM Fav Mod: JDM Foglights Location: NY Posts: 519 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.) I'm posting this because it helped reduce the occurance of an annoying click and knocking noise coming from the rear of the car when going forward to reverse and also when decelerating at slow speeds and/or downshifting. This would be for '04-'05 Sti but as far as I know Subaru uses these Axle nuts on alot of models so it may work for newer models too. Buy 4 of these for about $3 each: From here: http://www.subaru-parts-dealer.com/ -Break the lug nuts free on both sides of the car -Set the parking brake and/or leave the car in gear, now chuck the wheels of the car at the end you are not lifting -Lift up one end of the car and support with jackstands -Remove the lug nuts -Unlock the axle nut using a screwdriver, narrow pry bar or a ground punch, something strong and thin that you can hammer under the crimp area of the existing axle nut -For the Rear, set the parking brake firmly. If you want to also do the fronts, you need someone to stand on the brakes to do those...now using a 32MM Axle nut socket, they have a Local PepBoys or equivalent like this: -Use a breaker bar and break the nut free using the socket. Pic of Axle nut removed: -Throw that old axle nut away and torque a new nut on the axle. IMPORTANT:you must have the wheels off the ground, any loading on the axle assembly without the nut on can damage bearings. Those with no center caps don't even think about doing this without taking the wheels off/no jacking...not good REAR: 140 lb-ft or 190 N-m FRONT: 162 lb-ft or 220 N-m IMPORTANT: do not over-tighten -Use a small punch to crimp the nut back into the shaft keyway. Heres a pic of the one I used, I think I used 5/32": -When you get done pounding that sucker it should look like this: -put wheels back on -snug lugs -lift/remove jacks -Torque Lug nuts (I use 72 lb-ft) -Go drive! the click/knock noise should be gone or at least tolerable now. Note for those without jacks/stands: You can probably do this using your Subaru Jack, only one wheel at a time using standard jacking points. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by SCOOBYTRAP : 06-09-2006 at 03:03 AM.

09-10-2007, 01:52 PM	#8
stretch Silver Member Car: Aspen 2005 STi Fav Mod: TurnInConcepts.com Coilovers Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,809 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.) Apparently this part has been superseded by #902170047. Perhaps a revision was made due to these things loosening up on their own?

09-26-2007, 02:35 AM	#10
aznboi320 Senior STI Driver Car: Steel Grey 06 STI Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 360 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.) i think that is what is causing noises from my rear when i do u-turns and sharp turns

09-26-2007, 03:08 PM	#13
fullerton abracious Car: AW GDF-D Fav Mod: Track time Location: Near a 100oct pump Posts: 16,541 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (10)	Re: How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.) hummm... i looked at the recommended site and subarugenuineparts.com and neither had it...

10-03-2007, 07:58 AM	#15
fullerton abracious Car: AW GDF-D Fav Mod: Track time Location: Near a 100oct pump Posts: 16,541 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (10)	Re: How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.) is this part of the powertrain warranty? i bet i need a new axle out back, but i'd like to try the less expensive route first. i highly doubt they'll warranty my car. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-10-2006, 09:30 AM	#2
BurnsWRC S204 Racer Car: 04 Infiniti G35 Coup Fav Mod: still antifreeze Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 4,935 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	awsome write up, whoever has a clunk in the rear (other than the struts) should definitly try this. Havent done it yet, but ordered the parts. Thanks Mike !

06-10-2006, 10:58 AM	#3
flytojungho Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Fav Mod: Prodrive oval tip Location: carmel indiana Posts: 1,276 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	why does this create the clicking noise? it's just a nut right? also, is the new one different than the old one? how does it eliminate the noise?

06-11-2006, 06:32 AM	#5
MadMan77 Spec C Club Car: '08 BMW 135i Location: Centerville, Georgia Posts: 1,549 Join Date: May 2005 Trader Rating: (9)	I do remember a post back in the day saying that someone went to the dealership and they diagnosed a rear clunk with the axle nuts. I just cannot seem to find the post.

06-26-2006, 12:38 PM	#6
munky69 S204 Racer Car: 04 STi, 06 Altima Fav Mod: jailbreak Location: SOsocal Posts: 3,011 Join Date: Aug 2003 Trader Rating: (2)	i did it to someone's sti when i worked at the dealer. my boss told me to just tighten them though since they weren't even close to spec . tightend them up and never saw the guy again. personally i wanted to put new nuts on there, but it wasn't my call, i can only reccomend stuff

09-19-2007, 11:25 AM	#9
river rat Junior STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: turtle wax Location: seguin, tx Posts: 114 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How To Replace Axle Nuts (Got Click/knock noise? - Try this.) i posted about this noise when i first bought my sti. since i wasnt use to the "more touchy of a standard tranny" i got the clunking noise all the time and still do. someone told me of an anti clatter kit??? or somthing of the sort, are my nuts just loose? looks like i need to investigate. i also get a constant rattling noise from the rear like a tire iron laying loose by the spare tire. sounds like metal to metal rattling but ive looked and its all tight? does the rear seat have a latch or somthing that may be loose?