Wheel Hub Assembly Removal

tlgeirna · April 7, 2014

Am new to this site. I need some help/suggestion as to how to remove a bolt the secures the wheel hub assembly. I got 2 of the 3 bolts removed without much problem. The head of the 3rd boltmay have been chewed up a bit before I started but it is for sure rounded off now and I can not get a good enough bite on it to allow for the bolt to back out. I am guessing this has happened to other people in the past so hope i get some suggestions. I have tried vise grips and channel locks with out success. Is it possible to just grind the head of bolt off and still get the hub assembly off?? Thanks in advance for any help. This wheel hub assembly is on a 2002 gmc yukon xl 4x4.

txab · April 7, 2014

Grind it or torch it

tlgeirna · April 7, 2014

Thanks. My plan will be to grind it as I do not have a torch. Do i need to heat the steering knuckle when i am pounding on wheel hub assembly when I am trying to get it off?

txab · April 7, 2014

Have you tried a Bolt Out?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-impact-grade-bolt-out-trade-damaged/p-00952165000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

tlgeirna · April 7, 2014

Have not tried that yet.... may have to give it a try. Be another good reason to buy a new tool. Thanks

txab · April 7, 2014

They make a non impact version as well

chupe442 · April 7, 2014

I have a set of Craftsman bolt extractors that I thought I would never use (and honestly thought they were snake oil).. I had an issue on my sons car (pulling a front hub as well). Three of the 4 bolts were rounding off ( even using 6 point socket) and they were pretty much my last resort before drilling out or grinding. These are like a socket that goes over the head of the bolt but have reversed threaded teeth inside. Tapped with a hammer while turning and they backed right out.. All 3..

I was pleasantly surprised! No drill easy outs. Good luck!

tlgeirna · April 7, 2014

I just went to our local sears hometown store and picked up a set of the bolt outs. Hope they work would rather not grind it off if at all possible. I will give it a try when I get home from work 2nite and post an update about my success in the morning. If anybody else would like to chime in on this topic feel free! Thanks again for suggestions!

gmtech4 · April 7, 2014

how do ya round a bolt head with a 6 point socket ??

oh wait i know ,,,,

CapitalTruck · April 7, 2014

To get my hubs out of my GMT-800 I had to use a liberal amount of liquid wrench. I let it soak for a while.

txab · April 7, 2014

I like Kroil.

gapost · April 8, 2014

Thanks. My plan will be to grind it as I do not have a torch. Do i need to heat the steering knuckle when i am pounding on wheel hub assembly when I am trying to get it off?

I'm not sure what you mean here. If it's like an 05, you just remove the three bolts and axle nut. Really an easy hub replacement. Yes, use some penetrating oil on the bolts. It is tight to get a socket on the bolts. A non-deep six-point socket is best, but I was able to loosen mine with a good cross-force wrench. Axle nut is torqued to 177 ft/lbs.

chupe442 · April 8, 2014

how do ya round a bolt head with a 6 point socket ??

oh wait i know ,,,,

Well it sounds more obvious that its my fault when you put it that way.....

1997 Honda in the midwest.. A few years of salty winters will eat about anything.

tlgeirna · April 8, 2014

As I said in my original post it looked like the bolt head was chewed up a bit before I started. And yes I used a 6pt socket and let it soak with wd-40. Unfortuantley i musta finished it off and completely rounded off the bolt head. A big Thank You shout out goes to txab for the bolt out suggestion from craftsman. They worked as described. I was skeptical when i got the set. I choose the correct size bolt out tapped it into place with a hammer and used my 1/2 inch breaker bar to break the bolt loose. Worked like a charm. Thanks again!!!