What does this bolt do?

[Beanzermin]

It goes in the center of the hub into the front half shaft. Upon removal the top came off. Do I need it? I was going to replace the axles tonight but got a little frustrated and decided I'll do it tomorrow in the sun light with a lift!

 

[KidVermicious]

Oh, dear. That bolt snugs the CV axle to the hub body. You need it.

Good thing you're replacing that axle anyway, looks like extracting the broken part wouldn't be fun at all.

 

[SV_Dude]

FoG and I have talked about that and couldn't figure out what that bolt is for. It's a bolt that goes into the end of the axle and doesn't hold anything but a washer. The 2 54mm nuts should do all the holding on that axle that is needed. I don't see how a bolt going in the end of the axle will hold it firm against a surrounding body.

Please elaborate on how that bolt does anything.

 

[KidVermicious]

FoG and I have talked about that and couldn't figure out what that bolt is for. It's a bolt that goes into the end of the axle and doesn't hold anything but a washer. The 2 54mm nuts should do all the holding on that axle that is needed. I don't see how a bolt going in the end of the axle will hold it firm against a surrounding body.

Please elaborate on how that bolt does anything.

You can't pull the hub off without removing that bolt, if I remember correctly. The 54mm nuts hold the CV to the spindle, but there's still a little play in there - that's where the snapring and that nut on the end come in.

Does that not make sense to you?

 

[NorCalBorn]

That bolt and washer are the secondary part that retains the stub shaft of the axle assembly. It, in concert with the thrust shim and clip stop the shaft from moving in and out too much while the suspension cycles. Some people (believe) you can either simply run this without the shim and clip or just simply run a shim and clip. It was designed to be ran together. Here's a basic diagram, somewhere on the web I have the full pics/etc. (ih8mud IIRC??) Make sure you got the proper thrust washer and clip. If they're not there, run 'em.

 

[fourwd1]

That bolt is just used to help locate the axle shaft when rebuilding/overhauling the axle assy. It serves no other purpose.

 

[SV_Dude]

That bolt is just used to help locate the axle shaft when rebuilding/overhauling the axle assy. It serves no other purpose.

What do you mean locate the axle shaft? Do you mean it just identifies the outer end of the shaft?

 

[NorCalBorn]

What do you mean locate the axle shaft? Do you mean it just identifies the outer end of the shaft?

Yep. I can see (and have read/heard) the debate, but in the end Toyota Engineers put that part there for a reason.

 

[Beanzermin]

Awesome thanks for the response guys! I just wanted to make sure I could get it to the shop tomorrow. That washer on there is just as wide as the axle end. I didn't see the point of it, but it's there for a reason. I'm not going offroad tonight so I'll be fine. Thanks again for the input!