Front chain sprocket nut will not come off

[Aeroaddict]

Greetings. I'm in the process of changing out the chain and sprockets on my 86 ambulance. The front sprocket nut is STUCK. It doesn't have the metal tab type retainer so that is not an issue (well it is and I have one on order). It looks like the previous owner or maintenance tech used red loctite as there are some red stains around the shaft thread nut interface. I tried a long cheater bar and almost pulled the bike off the center stand. What do you think? Take a soldering torch and heat the nut up to loosen the red loctite?

[Capn Ron]

Sounds like you've got a tough nut to crack!      1/2" air impact gun with a 36mm socket should pop that right off!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Joe Sull]

I sure someone will help. but I personally would not go near the shaft with heat. If it even begins to normalize, it's gonna hurt.
I would try a chisel and make angular blows on the nut.
Your really haven fun now, Hey

[Firehawk068]

Sounds like you've got a tough nut to crack!     1/2" air impact gun with a 36mm socket should pop that right off!
Cap'n Ron. . .

+1  
That's how I take mine off.
If you don't have access to air impact, put the bike back on the ground and have a helper sit on it with the brakes on. You should be able to get it off with a breaker-bar then.
(Leave the bike in gear)

[Aeroaddict]

Ok, I'll try the impact wrench then proceed to the brakes on with someone sitting on the bike. Thanks. BTW I'm almost getting to old to have my nuts cracked. 

[movenon]

Put a 2 X 4 in the rear wheel to keep it from turning.  Do not use the gears,  brakes are a waste of time.   A little heat would help but just with a heat gun, no torch.  That nut is only suppose to be on to around 60 ft lbs.

Grinding the face of the socket will help get a better bite on the nut.



If you are in Boise or Meridian you can use mine .

It will come off.
George

[Aeroaddict]

Thanks for the offer George. I'm actually in Middelton. I do not have an impact socket that large so I'll go by the tool store tomorrow and pick one up.

I couldn't get a 2X4 thru the wheel but did use a ratchet extension that fit. Had the wife on the bike, off the stand, on the brakes with the ratchet extension and still could not break it free using a breaker bar. I think it is the red loctite that is doing what it is suppose to do.

[simi_ed]

I guess this is a dumb question, but WHY do you have RED Loctite on the nut?  I have a locking tab that prevents the c/s nut from loosening.  Randy sells the locking tab. http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ASprocketLock I'd recommend getting one.

Air impact shold do the trick, regardless of RED Loctite.

[Aeroaddict]

Totally dumb. I should have mentioned this is a new bike for me. I'm have a lot of the bike apart checking things. The sprockets are worn so I will change them out and a new chain. The bike did not have the retainer thing (which I have on order) so I'm guessing the previous owner or tech used red loctite.

[movenon]

Thanks for the offer George. I'm actually in Middelton. I do not have an impact socket that large so I'll go by the tool store tomorrow and pick one up.

I couldn't get a 2X4 thru the wheel but did use a ratchet extension that fit. Had the wife on the bike, off the stand, on the brakes with the ratchet extension and still could not break it free using a breaker bar. I think it is the red loctite that is doing what it is suppose to do.

Let me know if you want me to help.  I have the socket. I have a chain riviting tool etc if you need to use it.  I am located in Meridian closest nav point in Eagle and Overland.  Middelton is easy. 
George

[FJmonkey]

If it has red thread lock then you will need some heat to soften it. If you have a heat gun then you can slowly heat the nut (and shaft) in gradual steps till it breaks loose. Apply the heat gun for a few minutes, try to loosen it. Then a few more minutes, try again, a few more minutes etc... This will get it warm enough to soften the thread lock with out getting the metals hot enough to alter the metallurgy. Take your time to heat it in steps, it will work loose and then you can clean that %$#&  off.

[FJmonkey]

I just had a thought. If the bike is running, you can heat up the shaft by taking it for a ride and getting the engine up to full temp. Then try to remove the nut. The oil temp will heat the shaft and nut while you have some fun. It might be enough temp to loosen it. Then use the heat gun in steps till it comes off.

[TexasDave]

It has been my experience in getting red locktite nuts off you will have to apply enough heat to soften the locktite plastic adheasive. I do this by using a propane torch. Apply the heat around the nut not on the shaft. I would also recommend an air impact wrench. It might take more than one try. Good luck.  Dave

[ribbert]

........ so I'm guessing the previous owner or tech used red loctite.

Lots of great suggestions here for releasing red loctite. However, he is only assuming it's been used because it's hard to crack. If it had been used it should be obvious.
This nut is disproportionately shallow for it's size and only has about a third of the depth a nut that size would normally have, it can't be that tight.

The problem with breaker bars is spring or flex. You would be amazed how much torque is lost in this springiness in the bar.
If using heat as an aid to loosening the nut (assuming there is no loctite) anything short of oxy, you may as well breath heavily on it. Even propane does not get hot enough.

Forget about brakes (as George suggested) and shove something through the back wheel resting against the swing arm to stop it turning. (wood is better than steel)

An impact gun is you best bet but do not use it to tighten the nut when refitting.

While I generally don't advocate the use of "shifters" (adjustable wrenches?) this is one application I find it works fine. I use a giant shifter. On a nut this size you can get good purchase and the rigid handle is what makes the difference, no flex.
Most people don't have a giant shifter so the impact gun or a length of pipe over the breaker bar handle is your best chance.

Knowing how shallow those nuts are I can't help but feel the problem is your choice of tool rather than the nut being ridiculously tight. It can't be that tight.

You could also use a cold chisel and hammer to break it loose.

Loctite (if it's there) is to stop the nut working it's way loose while in operation, not make it impossible to remove. The right tool and technique will have it off in a jiffy

Noel.

[Aeroaddict]

All Great suggestions, thanks. The reason I believe it has loctite on it is the fact that I can see red stuff around the threads and some on the face of the nut. Again, can't verify the use of loctite until I have the nut off.

Yes, cheater bars do flex. I like the ride it around to warn everything up. I'll do that then hit it with the impact gun.