Help - I've messed up...

[MattBLancs]

Keep going back and forward with the nut, with luck it may bring the threads back into line. Don't just keep increasing the force, back and forth normally better.
Cutting the nut possible too, but may be shrouded by the hub until it's a bit further.

I'm assuming you need a helper to push the brake pedal as there's quite a robust and effective anti-hub-spinning device you've got the screwdriver wedged against

I always put a couple of wheel bolts back in the hub before doing or undoing the hub nut. The forces are then not resisted only by the (two) M6 disk retaining screws. I've mushed the end of the driveshaft slightly in the past too. Always hit a punch now (sat in the dip in centre of the shaft) as fearful of ending up in your situation.

Stick some pictures up of how far the nut gets, can better advise if know scale if the mountain to climb!

[c16rkc]

Thanks Matt,

No helper required - the anti-rotation device worked nicely... though the handle is a little frayed now...

I had not thought of moving the nut backwards/forwards, I'll give that a go. I have also got a set of dies somewhere, so will have to see if I have a thread that big.

[MattBLancs]

Be pretty unlikely you'll have a die that big, or from memory M24 but very fine pitch.

Should be able to clean up the thread combination of needle files and junior hacksaw pretty good for that task. Unless you were pounding the living daylights out of it, it's likely only 2 or 3 threads that need work - these well beyond where the nut sits when tight, so argument you could potentially just grind the damaged bit of thread off locally to the damage. Would clean it up as first strategy though

[c16rkc]

Yes it only looked to have damaged the first thread - and the nut was sitting far enough away for comfort when tight.

I'll see what I can do with my magic files

[Gibbo2286]

This is my anti rotation tool, knocked it up years ago and it's done a lot of work but now redundant.

[CitroJim]

I grinned foolishly, as the lug nut turned freely a couple of revolutions, then my face dropped as it bough back up. Yes you have probably guessed it... my hammer has damaged the end of the driveshaft, causing a sort of mushroom effect at the end. This caused chaos with the nut and turning it was excruciatingly difficult!

Don't feel bad Chris, we've all been there and done that - some of us multiple times... Especially me... So easy to do in the heat of the moment...

It can be recovered... If push comes to shove, measure the tread accurately and see if you van get a die to clean up the end of the thread or, failing that, use an old hub nut with three sawcuts in it to make a pretend die... Likewise, an old bolt with three slots cut along its length can make a good pretend tap to clean up threads - especially good fore threads in blind holes...

For smaller treads you can get dienuts which are dies with hexagons on them to make them easy to turn with a spanner...

You can also get a special file to clean up threads but they take a lot of practice to use and I have not a lot of confidence in them...

[thorter]

What works well for restoring threads is a thread file. Unfortunately they are now super expensive, but less on Ebay. Choose the right thread pitch, and the file picks up on the undamaged part. Best to use an ordinary file first to smooth off any burr down to less than full diameter.

Example of threadfile:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142847375089 ... =579263023

[MattBLancs]

What works well for restoring threads is a thread file. Unfortunately they are now super expensive, but less on Ebay. Choose the right thread pitch, and the file picks up on the undamaged part. Best to use an ordinary file first to smooth off any burr down to less than full diameter.

Example of threadfile:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142847375089?

Gosh, forty quid, this is more my kind of pricing:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144613238490?
(£11.72!) No doubt likely not as good as a known brand but worth a shot

[Rp0thejester]

Is it worth trying to go old school and heat the end up with a blow torch and then undoing the nut to reform the threads?

[thorter]

£11.72. Thats more like it, and what I hoped to find.

I myself would be disinclined to heat a highly stressed component like a drive shaft enough to affect the tempering, though I know people do. It will be heat treated for the best compromise between strength and ductility. Many of us oldstagers will remember the days when half shafts broke regularly, and they were bigger and lower stressed than current parts.

[mickthemaverick]

Anybody ever tried one of these? :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314749344310 ... R_rUxeHiYg

[MattBLancs]

£11.72. Thats more like it, and what I hoped to find.

I should have tried a bit harder, forgot to click "cheapest first" earlier!!

Here we go:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362687224152

£8.90 free postage!

[c16rkc]

Wow thanks guys - so many good suggestions I'm spoilt for choice!

I think I'll try backing the nut off first, then using a file to see if I can tidy the thread up. If that not successful I'll see if I can taper the tip down a bit with a larger file, as there is plenty of length there.

It's going to be when I can find the time

There's always the weekend if nothing else, as Lindsey is back off out again, and so the boys and me can have more garage time

[c16rkc]

Anybody ever tried one of these? :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314749344310 ... R_rUxeHiYg

Now that looks handy for when I chop up threaded bar! Will have to get one of those!

[c16rkc]

Just found a thread file on Amazon for £10. Will be here tomorrow thanks to prime delivery, so I can give it a try tomorrow if I can get some time after work