in thr middle of changing front rotors and pads, and car has been making a creaking sound so i want to make sure axle is seated right and retorque...but i dont know where axle nut is. any help would be appreciated. how far is it from back of rotor? is it easy to see?

 

It is the big nut in the center of the hub. Matter of fact, if you have rims with a removable center cap, that is the nut under there. The nut is technically a one use item, but in reality it is reused. There is a dent in the nut that should be in the groove of the axle which prevents it from turning. The dent is made with a punch and hammer when it is installed.

 

thanks

 

do u happen to know size of socket needed

 

bentleys says M22 x 1.5, but I don't know what that refers to??

 

metric 22?

 

found a thread that says 32mm, will give that a go!

 

22 mm x 1.5 is the thread size. Socket size is 32 mm.

 

You don't need to loosen the axle to change brake pads/rotors, and it's highly unlikely that the nut is loose and the axle is "unseated' (what does that mean?), since it's staked.

More likely your creak is from something else....but before you can tighten the axle nut, you need to release the stake by bending back out the part staked into the axle, so the nut can turn. And don't forget to use a torque wrench set to the correct value if/when you retighten it.

 

Already did the brake pads and rotors, but while the wheel is off I want to try to fix creaking noise.

There are a number of threads where people have heard a similar noise https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tor-shaft.html and some have alleviated the problem by removing axle nut, moving half shaft back and forth making sure it is seated in the steering knuckle assembly, and retorque. I have no idea if it will work but its certainly worth a try