Ok to use impact driver on spindle nut?

[Chris in Idaho]

I'm swapping a 14BFF and 8 lug 10b front under my short bed and I noticed that the 10b front has a loose hub... meaning I can grab the hub and wiggle it up and down and in and out a little bit. So I decided to pull it apart to inspect the wheel bearings but I can't get the spindle nuts off. The axle is just sitting on some stands and I can't put enough torque on the nut without the axle falling off of the stands. I tried smacking the breaker handle with a hammer to give it a "shock" and break loose but no go (hard to get a good swing while holding the socket onto the nut).

So, can I just give it a few smacks with an impact driver or will I damage the bearings or something? Sorry for my ignorance.

Edit: I know the socket says "not for impact use" but I was just going to push my luck there and work up to it.

 

[bp71k5]

If the hub socket stays on, it's probably not a a big deal to break it loose that way. I've always had trouble keeping the socket on the nut because it never seems to center properly. If it slips off and damages something under power, that would probably not be very good. You might also try bracing the pinion to keep it from flopping around on the stands.

 

[throttleissues]

It won't hurt the bearings using an impact to loosen the nut, so I wouldn't worry about that. I have one socket that has a ring outside the lugs that keeps the socket centered on the nut. I would highly recommend that type of socket to rattle the jam nut off.

 

[Chris in Idaho]

Thanks.

 

[blazinzuk]

use it gently, it can ruin your hub socket very very quickly

That said I have used an impact with hub sockets before

 

[4X4HIGH]

First off, by saying "impact driver" are you refering to a hand held impact driver that you swing a hammer on or an air operated inpact GUN?

This is an impact driver and would be better suited for what you want to do so you don't damage your socket.

 

[GMCLegacy]

pipe wrench on the axle tube to help hold it from rotating?

 

[Chris in Idaho]

I got it apart thanks everybody. A few good whacks and then it was loose enough to take off with the ratchet. Just out of curiosity I threaded the inner nut in until the play was gone and it took just about 2 whole turns so it was REALLY loose! The outer bearing is fine, actually looks/feels great but the inner bearing came out in pieces. I wonder if it was setup too loose and that made the bearing fail, or if the bearing failed and that's how it got loose? I got a new bearing but the guy at schucks couldn't figure out what seal I was talking about that "holds in the inner bearing and seals the hub to the spindle" and I finally gave up. What do I call this seal? Does anybody have a part number that I can go ask for?
Thanks

This is an impact driver and would be better suited for what you want to do so you don't damage your socket.

That's exactly what I used thanks. Well, not exactly because mine's silver not black...


GMC Legacy:
Pipe wrench is a great idea, if I hadn't already gotten it apart I would be bumming one.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The seal you need is called a front wheel bearing grease seal and it is a National seal #5131