Just need the right tool... (Pulling front hub)

[Yo Hoot]

Just so happened to have this bad boy lying around....

 

[Darkbloodmon]

I'll try to guess the weight of that unit of a tool, Price is right rules.

13lbs with the fingers.

 

[AEdelheit]

Hmm, Intresting but also puts a ton of stress on that U joint and axle shaft which is not what keeps the hub from moving, hope you are replacing that u joint?

 

[Yo Hoot]

post deleted

 

[bighammer]

Hmm, Intresting but also puts a ton of stress on that U joint and axle shaft which is not what keeps the hub from moving, hope you are replacing that u joint?

I'd much rather replace a U-joint than the ball joints. Using the power steering method finished off my lower ball joint on my old truck and I've talked to a couple others that have done the same.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I'd much rather replace a U-joint than the ball joints. Using the power steering method finished off my lower ball joint on my old truck and I've talked to a couple others that have done the same.

Ok lets think about this..
The hub has internal splines on a 4x4
That means the ujoints have zero lateral connection to the hub except for the spindle nut.
The major physical connection is the splines.. for drive.
By pulling on the hub there is zero load on the ujoints.

ON EDIT, I WAS WRONG. IT IS PUTTING A HEAVY LOAD ON THE U JOINT

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Ok lets think about this..
The hub has internal splines on a 4x4
That means the ujoints have zero lateral connection to the hub except for the spindle nut.
The major physical connection is the splines.. for drive.
By pulling on the hub there is zero load on the ujoints.

Since I'm about to tackle this job I'm interested in all methods of hub removal.

Aren't you pushing against the axle shaft with the center bolt of the puller? I'm not understanding how the u-joints aren't being (over)loaded by that puller.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Since I'm about to tackle this job I'm interested in all methods of hub removal.

Aren't you pushing against the axle shaft with the center bolt of the puller? I'm not understanding how the u-joints aren't being (over)loaded by that puller.

OK yes I wasn't considering that I was pushing against the axle shaft and yes it does transmit through the u-joint. My bad.
The u-joint is fine but I can see where it could get damaged.
These hubs have been pulled a couple times over the life of the vehicle so they aren't as bad as ones that were never pulled.
The puller I used seemed to be easy on the joints as I slowly tightened it and smacked the back of the hub flange to help it move.

So I digress and recommend using the socket and extension and the power steering.
Are you familiar with that procedure?

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

So I digress and recommend using the socket and extension and the power steering.
Are you familiar with that procedure?

The power steering trick and large slide hammer are the 2 I've seen most frequently used.

I just did a rear wheel hub on my Subaru and it was a bear. No way I would have tried a puller since there's 2 CV joints on the axle shaft.

 

[Yo Hoot]

The power steering trick and large slide hammer are the 2 I've seen most frequently used.

I just did a rear wheel hub on my Subaru and it was a bear. No way I would have tried a puller since there's 2 CV joints on the axle shaft.

I can't get over the designs that make these jobs so difficult. The least they could do is apply some kind of coating at assy.

 

[AEdelheit]

I'd much rather replace a U-joint than the ball joints. Using the power steering method finished off my lower ball joint on my old truck and I've talked to a couple others that have done the same.

If using the power steering ruined the ball joint then that joint was allready on its way out, the PS system has a max pressure that can get accomplished with tires on, while using the tool to get the hub off might put a little side load on them there is not way that could ruin a good ball joint IMO.

 

[Yo Hoot]

If using the power steering ruined the ball joint then that joint was allready on its way out, the PS system has a max pressure that can get accomplished with tires on, while using the tool to get the hub off might put a little side load on them there is not way that could ruin a good ball joint IMO.

I'm replacing the joints anyway. But I agree, doubt it will ruin a good ball joint. I'm sure this job was done enough times that ruining ball joints using the power steering method would be widely known.

 

[BigPapa]

Using the power steering method finished off my lower ball joint on my old truck and I've talked to a couple others that have done the same.

If using the power steering ruined the ball joint then that joint was allready on its way out, the PS system has a max pressure that can get accomplished with tires on, while using the tool to get the hub off might put a little side load on them there is not way that could ruin a good ball joint IMO.

He said it finished it off, so I'd say it was already shot.