04 Suburban 1500 Hub assembly stuck

[Justin Goewey]

So I have needed to replace my front wheel bearings on my 04 1500 4X4 Suburban. I got it in the air, tire off, caliper, rotor, the axle nut and the 3 bolts for the wheel hub assembly all off. I go to take the assembly off and just the bearing part with the lugs came off, the hub it self is rusted to the knuckle and I cant seem to get it off. I have tried using a sledge, chisel and even putting a bolt back in and hitting it with a hammer. Have used PB Blaster and WD40 and been at it for 2 days. I was even able to remove the axle, as the boot was ripped and throwing grease every where. I am wondering if I can even get the hub off, seeing as how when I started to take it apart the bearing where being spit out, so I don't know if it heated up and fused or just rusted on. I have heard a few things on using a torch for it or some other methods like putting the bolt in and turning the steering wheel so that it may pop it. Any suggestions? I don't have access to a torch or any other heavy tools and I am unable to get a hold of any to even rent for another week or two. I've also had a few people say I should just replace the knuckle but would need uper / lower ball joints and all of that (which I don't know if I do). I am a really green mechanic. Thanks

[davester]

If the cv axle boot has been broken for awhile, you may need a new cv axle, as any dirt getting in there does a good job of wrecking the joint, but if it was just damaged, then just replacing the boot with a boot kit can work (it is a messy job cleaning all the old grease from the joint, and getting the clamps on good (this is also not an on-vehicle job, you need to remove it from the vehicle to do it).

 

You might be able to hammer a screwdriver or prying tool underneath the three ears of the hub, where the bolts go into.  Or hammering down on one of the ears to try to rotate it a bit in the hub to break it free.  Or a puller of some kind, I would fab one to pull through the center of the hub, but you don't seem to have that kind of stuff to make one.

 

Don't have anything else, I did my hubs a little while ago, and they came out like butter compared to yours...

[CamGTP]

If you have air tools, get an air hammer.

 

And the handheld map gas torch can be bought at pretty much any auto parts store. The gas bottles are cheap at like 12 bucks, it's just the torch unit itself is like $30-40. But once you have it, you'll wonder why you didn't own one sooner for other odd jobs on vehicles.

[davester]

Just to follow up, I don't know if your knuckle/hub setup has this, but mine has a large rubber O-ring to seal the backside of the hub/knuckle (the round part of the knuckle that the hub just fits inside).  If you use heat, you will likely destroy that O-ring, so if you do decide to use heat, you may want to get another pair of O-rings to install with the new hubs.

[Justin Goewey]

I haven't seen an O ring there. I have new parts - Rotor, Axle, wheel hub assembly, new axle nut and washer and even got a bonus on the rotor (break pads). So I have almost an entire new set of parts to put there aside from the knuckle. When I got the old bearings out the metal seals inside where smashed pretty good and worn down. the axle boot tore about 5 miles away and it was parked after but just got the new part any ways. 

I have attempted to hammer a flat head / pry bar into the opening thats next to the dust shield. As far as it goes for the 3 corners there is no gap there at all, it almost looks like one part. I used a 45 oz hammer as well as a sledge that I think is 30lbs? not 100 % sure. I have pounded the ears so much that I have flattened them out a bit, just on the hub it self. The tops are starting to cave in. I have access to a compressor that is 150 PSI max. Is there a certain type of air hammer to look into (not much for power tools unless its for carpentry or flooring). My wife mentioned the heating part. Said her dad did that often before, heated things until it was red hot then to hit it with a hammer. (This is not a common concept for me as I am from the south and my wife is from the North East). I can go out tomorrow and grab some pictures if that would be of any help.

 

I would also like to say thank you for the advice.

[davester]

The o-ring & groove were in the knuckle on my truck (which uses a different 4-bolt hub vs your 3-bolt setup).  I would also suggest concentrating any heat you put into the assembly on the hub, as you don't want to weaken the knuckle at all from being heated (you definitely do not want to get any part of the knuckle cherry red...).

[CamGTP]

I've got an air hammer from Northern Tool, it was under $50 I think plus I had one of those mailer coupons they always send out to make it cheaper. It works.

 

If I was going to abuse it then I'd be buying a really nice one that are $100+ as they are way more heavy duty.