Astuce for bending the front axle locknut washer ?

[David V]

Hi guys I feel really dumb asking this because I've done it many times.
But I have had to work on my front drums after a spring snapped and left the liner driver side rubbing the snapped part against the drum.
Anyway - drums have been lathe rectified and I'm putting in new pads with new springs.
Got to the end and I just have to bend up the locknut washer and it WILL NOT MOVE.
I've done it before but I just can't get it to move up to lock the nut. Feeling like Ury Geller here since everything I've tried using bends - including tire levers - except for the washer.
And tips before I go mad ?
David

[051743GPW]

That’s a special washer designed to bend, to lock the nut. A standard washer is probably too thick to easily bend. I hope I’m thinking of the same thing.

https://www.rfjp.com/p-896-wheel-bearin ... -a867.aspx

[Ron D]

I have success by putting the lock washer on the spindle with the nut and then scribing one of the flat outlines from the nut on to the washer. Then I remove the washer and put it in a vise on the scibe line. Using pliers or other suitable tool just START the bend (not enough to interfere with the nut turning).

Then put them both back on the spindle and tighten-adjust to the proper torque. The started pre-bend of the washer makes it much easier to complete the bend to the final locking position. I use a small tire iron pry bar to finish the bend, and sometimes maybe a hammer and flat punch to lightly tap it flat against the nut.

I wasn't aware that it's a special washer for thickness and bending, other than having the correct ID and OD spindle dimensions.

[Adam]

If its the correct washer, the biggest screw driver in the bottom of your box will do it.

Adam

[Wolfman]

You need something with a hard, sharp edge. Like an old hunting knife or a wood chisel.
The sharp edge will wedge behind the washer and get it started. Then go to a cold chisel and then a flat nose punch to finish the bend to lock the nut.

[Ron D]

I learned about pre-bending the washer here: https://42fordgpw.wordpress.com/2016/09 ... to-bend-6/

Guess it's too complicated. Oh well......

[dpcd67]

I am confused; What is an Astuce? Who is Ury Geller?
And yes, there is a special bendable washer; thin and easy to bend with any tool, if you smack it with a BFH. Any standard washer is too thick and too small in OD and don't have the tabs on them that keep them from spinning..
For the record: I do not bother bending them; those nuts don't unscrew on my jeeps. Been doing it that way for decades.

[Ron D]

Astuce is french for "trick", and Mr. Geller is a magician. The OP is in France.

I always bend mine. It's not hard to do.
I do it mostly because the manual says so, but some because the wheel would only have to come off once for me to regret not bending it.

I'm shocked at your advice dpcd67 (said the man who preaches reading and following the manual).

[dinof]

I am confused; What is an Astuce? Who is Ury Geller?
And yes, there is a special bendable washer; thin and easy to bend with any tool, if you smack it with a BFH. Any standard washer is too thick and too small in OD and don't have the tabs on them that keep them from spinning..
For the record: I do not bother bending them; those nuts don't unscrew on my jeeps. Been doing it that way for decades.

Of all the times I have done this, mine have never moved to indicate that bending
the washer was necessary. BUT....with luck like mine, it would come loose if
I didn't tap them down.

[dpcd67]

Yes you got me there; but I never saw one that the lock nut was loose so I quit bending the washers. I used to bend them if that counts.
BTW; that was not advice; only relating the way I do it. Do not to anything I do.
But they are very easy to bend if you do. You might not have the right ones. They are very thin and have the tab on them; if they don't have the tab, they won't work anyway.
And I don't speak French, nor do I know any magicians.

[va302stang]

I use Loctite Red on the outer nut, no bending of washers. So far, so good. 15+ years, never found one even close to loose.

[Ron D]

Well, it looks like David V (the original poster) has several options.
Maybe he'll let us know what he decides to do?

He might be a belt and suspenders kind of guy......bend the washer and red lock tite?

[YLG80]

Photos received from an attentive reader:

There are 2 washers in there one is a spacer between the first nut & the bearing & it's not meant to be bent @ all.

The other is a soft washer & it should be bent ~ but there is only one acceptable way to do this as trying to bend in the wrong place can end up a disaster.

See TM 101513 1000-87

Must be bent on the unrelieved section of the hub on the relieved section the casting can crack & break.
It is stupid not to bend the locking washer as indicated in the manual, as both nuts can loosen together & rip the locating tab of the locking washer

Yves

[nick peters]

An old English army mechanic REME who worked a lot on jeeps told me, they had a type of slide hammer tool for bending the washer. To be honest I just use a long ,large screwdriver to bend it. Only enough so the nut cannot unwind. No need to try and bend it right up to the edge of the nut (in my opinion).
regards Nick

[Wolfman]

You struck a nerve, Nick !!
I made one of those, a slide hammer with a notch ground on the end to hook the washer and get it started.
I forgot I had it.
I wonder what I did with it ??
Going to form a search party !!!