03 Front Hubs Not Easy to Remove Either

[bighammer]

I'm trying to get my front left U joint replaced and having a tough time getting in there. I removed the rotor thinking it would give me access to a handy slot like the 2nd gens for getting a prybar in to separate the hub from the knuckle. No such luck. Got it soaking... Just thouht I'd vent while I wait.



Anybody else had theirs appart? Any tricks I should know? (after the fact is fine-- I'll probably have the right side to do and it would help others )

 

[rbattelle]

I'd be really interested if you could take some photos of the thing during disassembly.

 

[bighammer]

I'm at the point of re-assembly. (with bad joint) I can't get it to let go.



Hammering on bolts, blue tip wrench, soaked with Liquid Wrench, and still no sign of letting go.



I called the dealer and their tech said they use a pneumatic (SP ) impact driver with a stud threaded in the bolt holes. (at least they're not the funky 12 point-- Just standard 18mm)

 

[bighammer]

Got to say, these are MUCH worse than 2nd gens. (take them any day)



I was really hoping for an improvement