Size of axle nut: Dexter 7K axles?

**acadiaforever** · 07-17-2019, 10:25 PM

Easy question if someone knows it. (I guess most are...)

What is the size of the axle nut on the Dexter 7,000# axles? This is the nut that holds the drum or disk on the axle. Not the the lug nuts.

I want to pick up a socket for when I repack my bearings this weekend. The book says to torque to 50'#, then back off and simply bring it to finger tight. Last time, I simply used large "Channel lock" pliers and guestimated---this time I'd like to do it right. Maybe this will get me to buy a caliper if no one knows.

Thanks all.
-Al

**CoChris** · 07-17-2019, 10:40 PM

Axle nut uses 1-½“ socket on my 2018 310GK.

Chris

**gbkims** · 07-17-2019, 10:52 PM

1-1/2" on 6k axle also. Have an extra castle nut sitting in the garage.
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...astle-nut-size

**acadiaforever** · 07-18-2019, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by CoChris

Axle nut uses 1-½“ socket on my 2018 310GK.

Chris

Originally Posted by gbkims

1-1/2" on 6k axle also. Have an extra castle nut sitting in the garage.
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...astle-nut-size

Thanks to both of you! Interesting that the 6K uses castle nuts; the 7K uses retaining clips to keep the nuts from turning--at least ours does.
-Al

**CoChris** · 07-19-2019, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by acadiaforever

Thanks to both of you! Interesting that the 6K uses castle nuts; the 7K uses retaining clips to keep the nuts from turning--at least ours does.
-Al

That might be either a change in design (I really like the retaining clips - slick) or the difference in Lippert vs. Dexter axles. I noticed Gene has a 2015 reflections, which I think used Lippert axles. I know my 2018 Solitude has Dexter axles.

Chris

**acadiaforever** · 07-19-2019, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by CoChris

That might be either a change in design (I really like the retaining clips - slick) or the difference in Lippert vs. Dexter axles. I noticed Gene has a 2015 reflections, which I think used Lippert axles. I know my 2018 Solitude has Dexter axles.

Chris

Ahah. I missed that. Yes, the Lippert axles used castle nuts and cotter pins. The Dexters use the retaining clips.

Two hours and half a roll of paper towels for my first wheel. And XXX liters of water. It is already nearing 100 degrees at 10:30 AM, about 40 minutes north of Phoenix.

-Al

**LV Naturist** · 07-19-2019, 01:07 PM

FYI, the axles that have the grease zerk to pump grease into the bearings (I don't trust that process personally) will have a nut and retainer. The axles without will have a castle nut and a hole in the axle to insert a cotter pin. If the zerk style axle had a hole for a cotter pin, the grease would come out that hole and not be effective.

John

**Gronk1** · 07-19-2019, 01:58 PM

Sometimes you feel like a nut!

**gbkims** · 07-19-2019, 09:01 PM

Well, I guess they vary whether its castle or clips.
This is a Dexter 6k axle I got with castle nuts.

Click image for larger version.

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**J&G garage** · 07-20-2019, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by LV Naturist

FYI, the axles that have the grease zerk to pump grease into the bearings (I don't trust that process personally) will have a nut and retainer. The axles without will have a castle nut and a hole in the axle to insert a cotter pin. If the zerk style axle had a hole for a cotter pin, the grease would come out that hole and not be effective.

John

The Lippert axles with a zerk fitting use a cotter pin hole that is off set (doesn't go through the the center of the axle diameter) to avoid the grease passage.