well if that nut isn't in there, the axle would wiggle around in the hub and in the diff, knock out the spider gear and all that good stuff... but the biggest thing... IT HOLDS THE BEARING TOGETHER!!!

i mean the rotor and caliper will only hold the wheel together for so long... hahaha

 

I have been soaking it with liq.wrench every couple of hours, part of the problem I think is the awkward position in the wheel well, so I'll get the other side off tomorrow then just keep squirting behind the bolt head and the exposed threads on the hub side and try again nexr weekend. I should have done both sides at once so I could swing the hubs from lock to lock. Probably be able to get more leverage, I will get the other side off tomorrow... or monday. It must be a jeep thing... 175 lbs. seems excessive especially with the locking cap and cotter pin... other wheel bearings I've changed are basically hand tight to give a bit of preload and then backed off to the next slot in the crown nut to get the pin through, of course the hub is not attached to a driven axel, I can't think of another bolt on a vehicle taking half that torque, My 1/2' drive torque wrench may not even go that high ( I need to check it) with a 2 foot handle I don't think I can twist it that high. I better hang on to the 4' 1-3/4" steel fence post, I hope I don't break my torque wrench too.

 

The hub is bolted to the knuckle so that should hold the wheel on without the axel nut...the hub has unserviceable sealed bearings, can the wheel flange separate from the hub?
It's no wonder Jeeps are so long lasting... they bolt em together TIGHT

Took the Wheel and breaks off the other side today (sun) and blocked the car up properly so I can steer the hubs to get at the hub bolts, on the side thats been soaking, I managed to get 1 bolt to squeak, but I bent another 13mm wrench with the fence post. I think this is going to need heat. I was right about my torque wrench ... I'm going to need a Bigger one

 

The torque is that high because the axle nut is the only thing that ends up holding the semi-floating axle shaft in place, without it you could end up watching your wheel pass you on the highway. That would be bad...

 

If I stays attached to this hub... the Wheel ain't leavin :-)

 

YA... FINALY BROKE THE HUB BOLTS... Longer B-Bar and soak in PB Blaster.
now let's see... are the U Joints welded in?