Hub assembly removal

M

matty169

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May 8, 2009
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For you guys fighting your hubs, heres a little trick. Loosen the bolts from the back side, but leave them threaded in about 5 turns. Now get a couple heavy sockets or chunks of steel and a helper. Start the truck and have the helper turn the steering wheel WHEN YOU TELL THEM TO. Hold the socket or steel on the bolt and SLOWLY turn the steering wheel until the socket/steel is wedged between the bolt and housing. Now stand back and turn the wheel. It will push the bearing out using the hydraulics of the power steering. I have yet to have this method fail. NOW you can fight with the ball joints.:rockwoot:
 
I've been using this method for over 5 years, done more unit hubs than I can remember and it's worked every time, even on the most rusted and tightly seized units!
 
I've had to work around in a circle for several cycles on the bolts to finally get the hub loose. It has worked everytime I've tried it also. Don't give up on the first try.
 
^^^^LOL I broke a cheap Socket trying to remove mine. From now on I Put anti-sieze all around the hub
 
cumminsman315 said:
Did you try reving it up alitte while you turned the steering wheel
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No I didn't but I don't think that would have made a difference......who knows though. I put it back together with anti seize so hopefully I never have that problem again.
 
waldershrek said:
No I didn't but I don't think that would have made a difference......who knows though. I put it back together with anti seize so hopefully I never have that problem again.
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the power steering pump should have a higher pressure since it would be spinning faster
 
Well who's to say I guess. It took two days of chiseling to get it out. Of course the truck is 11 years old with 262K miles on it with the original hubs so they were basically welded on there.
 
we used this puller and a torch to heat it and it slipped off,,, but that was before learning about using the power steering to push it off

 
I though about getting a puller but I saw a couple videos where the outer flange of the hub just broke off which I didn't want since I wasn't replacing the hubs so I didn't end up using the puller.
 
waldershrek said:
I though about getting a puller but I saw a couple videos where the outer flange of the hub just broke off which I didn't want since I wasn't replacing the hubs so I didn't end up using the puller.
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i worked just fine but its alot easier using the pwer steering
 
The steering method is the way to go. Snap-On makes a great tool for this: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=81164&PartNo=DHP1&group_id=21345&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

There's also one for the Ford crowd, FHP-1 is the p/n for that.

I use the combination of the steering trick, and an air hammer with one of these attachments: Air Tools, Pneumatic Chisels, Cutters andRetainers | Matco Tools Online Tool Catalog (one of the bottom two on that page)

That puller is all fine and dandy until it seperates the hub from the actual bearing, then you automatically need a new hub unless somehow you pound it together.
 
4' slide hammer as been the tool so far will try the power method once the engine is back in the 99.
 
we torch the nuts off the balljoints off and then put the knuckle in a press and press the hubs out. doesn't work so good if you dont wanna replace the ball joints.
 
Just wanted to let you guys know. I was having a hell of a time this weekend doing ball joints on an 02 and this little thread saved my sanity. This little trick worked like a charm.

Thanks I will never forget that one
 
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