Does anyone know the correct torque spec for the axle nut. I am replacing the drivers side wheel hub assembly. The downloaded manual I got from this site has 2 different numbers. One says 85 ft lbs and the other is 155 ft lbs. Which one is correct?

 

155 is correct for the axle nut. 85 is the three hub bolts.

 

Previous post is correct, also make sure you replace the axle nut. It is a locking nut that should be changed everytime you take it off. I believe O'Reilly's has them for around $5.00.

 

Great. Thank you. I got a MOOG hub assembly for $113 at AdvanceAuto and stopped at the Chevy dealer and got an OEM nut for $12. Heading to harbor freight for a new torque wrench. Mine only goes to 80 ft lbs. Looks pretty straight forward to change.

 

I did not agonize over the torque or the new nut. The nut goes an inch and a half down the shaft, you would notice while rotating your tires and the shaft will rust quickly.

Redneck mechanic says: "155 ft/lb = 1 redneck guy leaning on a 24" breaker bar, while holding a PBR in his LEFT hand, PBR in RIGHT hand would be about 125 ft/lb". (really 155 ft/lb is about "that's tight enough" with a 1/2 drive and 80 ft/lb is the same with a 3/8 drive). Advance would loan you a torque wrench!


The service manual is available on this forum.

 

Thanks for your help. Got a 1/2 drive 150 ft lb torque wrench for 19.99 with coupon. Got it repaired today. Not easy to get out of the spindle but once I did it all went back together smoothly. No more noise and hopefully my mpg comes back up.

 

Should have waited for the latest "member" flyer $9.99 with member coupon. Not to mention 3 ton jack stands $14.99. The moral of the story is: Register your e-mail & address with good stores!

But, what I said earlier, AdvanceAuto and AutoZone and PepBoys have the torque wrench and the axle socket for loan, just pay then return for refund, saving about $30 in this case (unless you already had a 30mm deep well 1/2 socket @ $9). You can even get the loaners via internet. Always check for loaner tools, you WILL be surprised!!!!

 

The tool was cheap and the socket is Crafstman. You can never have enough tools and now I have them for when the other side goes bad. I'm just glad I got it done before 2 snowfalls.

 

Thanks for the torque specs. I recently got my 2009 HHR and had to replace the hub assembly today. I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but with some reading of this forum and watching some videos I was able to do it.

Got the $129.99 Moog from advance with their 15% special knocking it down to $110. The $10 moog rebate is already in the mail which will have it down to $100.

I got a 150 ft/lb torque wrench on a free $50 card from advance last year on another deal. I have to rely on it because I don't drink PBR.

Thanks all for your contributions to this forum.