Spindle nut torque

[Linda]

What is the torque on a spindle nut or is it necessary? what size is the cj3a spindle nut socket? Thanks for time, AL

[specialty]

My spindle nut measures 2-1/16. No torque involved, it's more of a feel thing. Tighten snugly. Back nut off until you get no drag on the tire as you turn it and then grasp the tire from top to bottom and side to side and check for free play. Very little if any is what you're after. To tight will wear the bearings out prematurely. If loose tighten it up some. If excessive looseness you may have other issues like bad ball joints or bad steering knuckle bearings. Make sure to replace your seals while your're in there and new bearings are always good.
A regular socket will not help much on removing the spindle nuts. The rear nut� is in there a pretty good way. This is the nut that controls wheel play and bearing tension. I think the front nut is more for locking purpose.I have found the cheap sockets on Ebay that work just fine for this. About $5.I think parts stores also have them. Carry on!

[PaulS]

I forget the actual size of this thing, but I first went and bought a real socket of this size.  The darned thing cost $30 or something.  (And I needed an adapter for the 3/4" drive.) And because it's made for huge torques, it didn't even fit all the way into the hub--I think I could get the outer nut out, but not the inner one.

And then when I was buying parts, I found this:
http://walcks4wd.com/spindle-nut-wrench.html

A fraction of what I paid for the other one, and made for the application.  Save yourself the aggravation and pick one up!

-Paul

[specialty]

Paul that's the socket I was talking about. Cheap and all that is needed! Most large sockets will not reach the inner nut.

[Linda]

Thanks Guys, Ill ordered one today, I  going to carry one in my cj when 4 wheeling,