Hub Removal Help?
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Hub Assembly Removal Help? Not Locking Mechanism
With 60k on my 2003 F250, the ball joints were shot. I completed the driver side - with much trouble removing the wheel hub assembly.
Now on the passenger side, I am at a road block because I cannot remove the wheel hub assembly. (4 Bolts hold it to the steering knuckle) - I tried everything I can think of... lote of penetrating oil, chisle between the hub and dust shield... all day! Had to put it back together without ever getting to the ball joints.
Anyone run into this before? Any suggestions would be really appreciated, I'm going to give it another try tomorrow...
ken
Now on the passenger side, I am at a road block because I cannot remove the wheel hub assembly. (4 Bolts hold it to the steering knuckle) - I tried everything I can think of... lote of penetrating oil, chisle between the hub and dust shield... all day! Had to put it back together without ever getting to the ball joints.
Anyone run into this before? Any suggestions would be really appreciated, I'm going to give it another try tomorrow...
ken
Last edited by FireGT; Dec 26, 2007 at 03:52 PM.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
They can get a little tough.. You should try to pry from behind. Keep the nuts on so you don't damage the threads and get a big pry tool thingy. Once you get started you'll be all set.
Dick
Dick
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I used a large 3-arm puller on mine... When it went back together I used plenty of high nickel never sieze(nuclear grade, got it from the machinists working on our turbo-generators at work) after cleaning the bejeebers out of everything. I coated the studs(unthreaded part), the stud holes, and the flat mating surfaces of the knuckles, hubs, and dust shields. Check to see if it will hold vacuum before you start if you have ESOF hubs, no fun having to do it twice if you need to replace the inner hub seal. If you need to replace the inner hub seal, get the axle seal(or at least check it out) while you're there.
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Thanks for the replies....
I was able to get the 4 nuts off (I do have air tools, but can't get the impact wrench in there) Large pipe on the end of a breaker bar works great for torque...
I've tried leaving the nuts on, and hitting them with a hammer through various extension items... blocks of wood, piece of pipe etc...
I'm not sure what to pry against...
Looks like I need to go find a large 3 arm puller - the ones I have are not big enough to attach to the lug studs.........
Raining here today so it looks like I'll put it off for a while anyway!
k
I was able to get the 4 nuts off (I do have air tools, but can't get the impact wrench in there) Large pipe on the end of a breaker bar works great for torque...
I've tried leaving the nuts on, and hitting them with a hammer through various extension items... blocks of wood, piece of pipe etc...
I'm not sure what to pry against...
Looks like I need to go find a large 3 arm puller - the ones I have are not big enough to attach to the lug studs.........
Raining here today so it looks like I'll put it off for a while anyway!
k
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Joined: Nov 2006
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I didn't attach the puller to the studs, I just hooked the arms behind the outer rim of the hub and put the jacking bolt against the axle shaft end. I took up some tension and then started just turning the hub. It had the same effect as tightening the bolt without having the bolt turn and dig into the shaft end. Once the hub started to move it came out "fairly" easily. IIRC I got it as one of a set of four pullers from Harbour Freight, it's not even the biggest one. It looks like they have swivel tips now, kind of like a C clamp, where mine are just straight jacking bolts with a conical tip.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40965
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40965
Last edited by thedaddycat; Dec 27, 2007 at 10:11 PM.
