Outer Hub Nut Backed off?

[topellis]

I am installing disc brakes on my rear axle. Passenger side complete with no issues, last night I disassembled the drivers side and when I removed the drive axle and pulled the outer grease seal off in a gloppy mess... It was obvious that gear oil had gotten into the hub. Grease was semi fluid but plenty of it still there. I went to remove the outer nut and it wasn't there.... so I looked at the outer grease seal I had just thrown in the trash and the outer nut was still inside the seal. It appears the outer nut had backed out far enough to totally disengage the spindle. It did cause some slight damage to the end of the spindle threads and the outer nut has some marks on it's end where I assume it ran into the drive flange but I was able to get the inner nut off with a little bit of force with the spindle nut removal socket. (not a lot) Brings me to the question... I thought by the design of the outer nut where it engages the outer grease seal that the vertical surface where the seal engages would run into the inner part of the drive flange before it totally disengaged the spindle. I thought this was part of the design safety and had never thought this was possible. Would the direction of rotation of the tire on the left side act to loosen/remove the outer nut just from the friction of the grease seal?

Just curious of what others have seen, I read in the manual and there are no specific cautions or directions other than to tighten the outer nut.

Mark

[Cal_Gary]

Hi Mark,
I've never seen the nut back off-it would have to have been loose to begin with, in order to turn itself off the spindle. I can't see the seal surface getting such a grip that it would turn the nut, even if it was stuck to the nut. The seal rubber would likely rip apart first, in my mind.

Can you get a thread file to clean up your spindle threads? I'd bet that the correct dye would be hard to find, and expensive....
Gary

[topellis]

Hi Gary,
Yes its pretty obvious I didn't do my part on getting it tight to begin with. I didn't have the socket when I originally installed it about ten years ago. I have to take responsibility for that. I am lucky that the lock ring somehow kept the inner nut in place. There was no play in the hub before I took the axle out. I suppose I assumed that part the seal bears on was enough to keep it from backing completely off by hitting the drive hub. ( the ass u me thing) I know now that isn't part of the design. I managed to use jeweler's files to clean it up. New outer but and put it together. (Using the correct tool this time). 4 wheel disc is the way to go in my opinion. Stops great. Thanks for the feedback.

[Cal_Gary]

Glad you got it solved!
Gary