In Need of a Hydraulic Press

[SandieGarry]

I have 2 - 3 arm pullers and a 2 arm. The 3 arm just pushed the axle out, didn't loosen the hub. I had soaked it with PB Blaster and let it sit for 30 minutes. When I went back out, I used 2 hands on the slide hammer. After about 25 slams, it started to move. Took several more hits and out it popped. I've replaced wheel studs before, never had this much trouble. This van is very difficult to work on, nothing is easy.

I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions. I really do.

 

[Sneakers]

I have 2 - 3 arm pullers and a 2 arm. The 3 arm just pushed the axle out, didn't loosen the hub. I had soaked it with PB Blaster and let it sit for 30 minutes. When I went back out, I used 2 hands on the slide hammer. After about 25 slams, it started to move. Took several more hits and out it popped. I've replaced wheel studs before, never had this much trouble. This van is very difficult to work on, nothing is easy.

I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions. I really do.

While you have it off, make sure the bearing is worthy of putting back in.

 

[black dog]

While you have it off, make sure the bearing is worthy of putting back in.

Me, I would replace the hub assy, and anti seize the axle and where the hub sits.
Worst ones I have ever done were on my 2000 F350 4x4 dually.

 

[Sneakers]

Me, I would replace the hub assy.

Most times, you have to anyway to replace the bearing.

 

[Sneakers]

Now that it's off, is there by any chance a hole in the knuckle that lines up with a stud, so you can drive the stud out thru the hole without removing the hub?

 

[black dog]

Most times, you have to anyway to replace the bearing.

My son will be home on the 11th for a few weeks, I'm getting his C7 ready for headers and a new exhaust. I have been spraying all of the old hardware with Kroll a few times already with the bad thoughts of all of those bolts going into the alum heads.
He said on the next rotation we will do a camshaft and maybe heads, I suggested lets go with a super charger instead son?

 

[SandieGarry]

Now that it's off, is there by any chance a hole in the knuckle that lines up with a stud, so you can drive the stud out thru the hole without removing the hub?

No, I thoroughly checked before I started taking it off. I saw that suggested online so I went a hunting.

 

[Sneakers]

My son will be home on the 11th for a few weeks, I'm getting his C7 ready for headers and a new exhaust. I have been spraying all of the old hardware with Kroll a few times already with the bad thoughts of all of those bolts going into the alum heads.

I dread the day I need to remove the exhaust manifolds on my 5.3l GMC. Notorious for broken bolts on the rear-most cylinders.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

I dread the day I need to remove the exhaust manifolds on my 5.3l GMC. Notorious for broken bolts on the rear-most cylinders.

Just resign yourself to having to face more broken bolts right now removing those headers. The voice of experience.

 

[black dog]

For your consideration ...





Just resign yourself to having to face more broken bolts right now removing those headers. The voice of experience.

UGH, it that happens, its getting a new camshaft and a set of heads put on it with having to pull the old heads off.
Not a bunch of extra room in that engine bay.

 

[SandieGarry]

I gave up, surrendered, waved the white flag. After I was rejoicing the fact that I was able to get the hub out, I went back and looked at the bearing. The actual ball bearings were exposed. Ut oh !! Not good. So, today I went at it trying to get the bearing out. No luck. I soaked it with PB Blaster, no luck, didn't move a fraction of an inch. So, I turned my attention to the hub. I realized that half of the bearing was still on the hub. I was finally able to move it a small fraction of an inch, ruing several tools in the process. Several hours later and a ruined 3-day weekend, I admitted defeat. I went online and ordered a whole assembly. I get a new knuckle, bearing and hub, all assembled and ready to install. Shoulda done this Saturday.

Thanks for everyone's help/

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

I gave up, surrendered, waved the white flag. After I was rejoicing the fact that I was able to get the hub out, I went back and looked at the bearing. The actual ball bearings were exposed. Ut oh !! Not good. So, today I went at it trying to get the bearing out. No luck. I soaked it with PB Blaster, no luck, didn't move a fraction of an inch. So, I turned my attention to the hub. I realized that half of the bearing was still on the hub. I was finally able to move it a small fraction of an inch, ruing several tools in the process. Several hours later and a ruined 3-day weekend, I admitted defeat. I went online and ordered a whole assembly. I get a new knuckle, bearing and hub, all assembled and ready to install. Shoulda done this Saturday.

Thanks for everyone's help/

Yeah, that's a pickle. Appears your hub bearings are pressed into the knuckle and when you pulled out the hub, since they are tight on the hub spindle, it pulled out the inner race of the bearing. You could hammer out that outer bearing race left in the knuckle using a tapered punch, then install a new bearing. [Been there]. Then install the new hub. Or install the new bearing on the hub then install the hub and bearing in the knuckle.

Freezing the bearings overnight helps with installation since it shrinks them a bit.

It all comes down to, shoulda, woulda, coulda.

 

[Gilligan]

I gave up, surrendered, waved the white flag. After I was rejoicing the fact that I was able to get the hub out, I went back and looked at the bearing. The actual ball bearings were exposed. Ut oh !! Not good. So, today I went at it trying to get the bearing out. No luck. I soaked it with PB Blaster, no luck, didn't move a fraction of an inch. So, I turned my attention to the hub. I realized that half of the bearing was still on the hub. I was finally able to move it a small fraction of an inch, ruing several tools in the process. Several hours later and a ruined 3-day weekend, I admitted defeat. I went online and ordered a whole assembly. I get a new knuckle, bearing and hub, all assembled and ready to install. Shoulda done this Saturday.

Thanks for everyone's help/

The hateful world of unit bearings. Even with a well-equipped machine shop, various presses, etc etc I usually buy the complete assemblies too.