How To Remove Front Hub Assembly

TYPE GENDY · July 16, 2011

It appears my wheel bearing has gone bad (finally @ 150k) and i'm in the middle of replacing the front hub assembly. I have the wheel off, the brake caliper, and rotor. I removed the axle nut cover and the axle nut, as well as the three bolts holding the hub to the knuckle.

My problem is i cant get the hub to pull out of the knuckle. I spent a good amount of time smacking it pretty hard with a 3lb hammer. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Matt_ · July 16, 2011

i use my air chisel to "rotate" it, once it starts spinning they pop out pretty easy.....

blacksierra01 · July 16, 2011

Use a big sledge hammer, thats all i've ever done.

ujtruck · July 16, 2011

3lb no go, use mover heavier one + some heat + PB Blaster

Ape0r · July 16, 2011

I got mine off with a 1.5 or 3 lb hammer (forget) and a little love. No pb blaster required. Just kept banging away on the one place that I had the clearance to do so, and it worked out slowly.

If you really need more UMPH, go get a slide hammer and a bearing puller end for it like this: http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Tool-Design...2388&sr=1-4

(assuming that doesn't just make the bearing come apart!)

TYPE GENDY · July 16, 2011

Finally got it off! Took a few hours and a few trips to harbor freight. In the end i think it was the air hammer/chisel i got. I just kept trying to work my way around the hub to break it loose, and then to get it out.

Anybody know the axle torque spec off hand?

ujtruck · July 16, 2011

Wheel Drive Shaft to Front Hub Nut 240 N.m 177 lb ft

owenbyc · July 16, 2011

Hey im glad you finally got it off. Ive gotten alot of them off with a 5 dollar 2 arm puller from autozone

NV5600 · July 16, 2011

Wheel Drive Shaft to Front Hub Nut 240 N.m 177 lb ft

You're also supposed to replace the big nut. Make sure the new nut fits the socket that you have!

TYPE GENDY · July 17, 2011

Thanks for all the replies. I took it for a test drive last night and all seems well. Going to double check the axle and wheel stud torque this morning.

I have seen people mention they use the gear pullers to separate the hub and the knuckle, but i dont understand how. What are you pushing on while pulling on the hub??