I have a 2003 F-250 Superduty with 7.3 Powerstroke, auto transmission and 4X4. The left manual locking hub will not release unless I hit it with a rubber mallet. Once unlocked it is fine until I lock it, then to unlock, its the rubber mallet again. I want to remove the hub and try to clean and re lubricate, or replace it if needed. I cannot find a way to remove it. I removed the wire clip inside the housing, but it still won't budge. Is there another device holding it in place? Even the local Ford dealership claims they don't know, (or just won't tell). I have removed many F-150 and Ranger hubs, but this is nothing like the smaller hubs.
Can anyone help?
Thanks.

 

Its corrosion , soak the hub with pb blaster in and around the groove you removed the the snap ring from.
You may destroy it getting it out, use a heavey rubber mallet to smack it back and forth it will come out.
Been there don this on many trucks.
Rich

 

The driveline specialist that is converting my axle gears mentioned to me that when they remove the hubs, 90% of the time the seal breaks... Don't know if that helped any.

 

Because they're a bunch of monkeys...

If, as you remove the hub, you support the axle stub while removing the hub the last inch or so, you don't bugger up the seal.

 

if its only the corrosion holding it in what else can be done? I have beat on it and its all busted up. I have soaked it and it turns but wont come out

 

This thread is from 2006, if you have a problem, please start a new thread.

 

Wow that look great… well done. You have motivated me to clean and paint mine

Mike