i am in the process of changing my parent's brakes on their 97 accord, but i ran into a problem with the axel nut which holds the rotor cover in place. is there any special tools needed to get this off or anything i should know? and what size socket is required for that nut?

Fronts or rears?
Sounds like the rears. thats were the only nut cover is. Just use a flatehead screw driver and a hammer and work your way around till it comes off.