Found the topic covered in the FAQ section. Very helpful. Even a couple of tips on how to remove a hub that is stuck. Those tips have not proven fruitful on my stubborn front hub.

So far, I've soaked the joining surfaces with penetrating oil for 2 days. Inserted a bolt back in most of the way then smacked the bolt with a short handled sledge hammer. Nothing. Got a pipe wrench between the brake backing plate and the spinning hub and literally stood on the handle. Even bounced a little. Nothing. Put the wheel and tire back on and rocked it back and forth. Nothing, but then the spindle turned as I pulled and pushed so that didn't help much. Am seriously considering putting all the bolts back in leaving 1/4 inch out and driving the car to see if the hub will break loose, but still stay on.

Before I tear up something, do any of you have a safer idea?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Are you sure you got all 4 bolts?

 

Just an update to close this thread. GET A BIGGER HAMMER.

Yep, using a hammer on a fine motor car is just not right, but that is what it took. I started off with an average claw hammer, nothing. Went to a 2lb sledge, nothing. Then a 4 lb sledge, again nothing. Lastly an 8 pounder, worked ever so slow. The corrosion was the cause of the problem. The steel hub and aluminum spindle were bonding, and the hub was rusting. The brake backing plate and spindle were preventing direct hits with the hammer. Even after the hub started to come out, it would get bound up, so force needed to be applied alternating side to side. Hitting the hub where the claiper was, then hitting a bolt that was put back into the hub on the opposite side (dont thread all the way in, leave 1/4 inch). Also, protect the head of the bolt (I used a socket, which was ruined, so add a replacement socket to the cost of the job).

Once the hub was removed, cleaned the hole with a wire wheel, applied anti-sieze, then the new hub went in and it wasn't even tight. All you southerners don't know how lucky you are. This job took me several more hours than it should have. It should be an easy job.

 

Thanks for the follow up. We get a ton of rust here, too

 

Congrats on getting it out., and posting up a follow up.

Oh yes I do atleast. I came from the rust belt and haven't looked back. Even after 8 years being a southerner, when I climb under one of our vehicles, I have to smile and reflect "what could be".

BTW I had replaced our front hub in the Joyces Jag, I did it in twenty minutes and in my bathrobe!

Thread closed

 

Isn't that a the mechanic's code? "If that doesn't work, get a bigger hammer"...