Wheel bearing dust cover/stuck?

[GeorgeW]

I am trying to replace an 86 front rotor.
Following the books it looks like I need to remove the wheel bearing dust cover so I can then loosen the clamping screw, remove nut and slide off rotor with bearing hub. I have seen this done at tech sessions.
Problem is that my dust cover wont budge. I am using a channel lock pliers trying to twist it on its axis, clock and couter clock wise. All I am doing is marring the cover??
Am I missing something? &*@#%$^
I need to get it all off as I have been able to lossen 3 of the 5 bolts holding the rotor to the hub.

[Jim Richards]

Can you slowly work it off by sticking a screwdriver between the hub and the dust cover and twisting the screwdriver blade a bit, back and forth?

[KFC911]

Hi George, As you've discovered, these 'can' be a real pain. Use the search function, as many others have offered tips in the past. I had a hard time w/ mine, and a combination of several techniques (including a muffler clamp around the dust cap), w/ lots of cussing finally got mine off. My first attempts were using 'Big Azz' channel locks (...it looks so easy for other folks), and the caps wouldn't budge. Good Luck!

ps. Although I didn't at the time I reinstalled mine, I've since seen a thread about using a hack saw to cut a couple of small slits in the cap (the portion that inserts inside of the hub) to aid removal & installation...I'm gonna do that the next time I have mine off.

[Vipergrün]

Use a piece of 8-10" long 2x2 or 2x4 (on edge). Put the 2x2 at the 3-4 o'clock position and put the end of the 2x2 under the *lip* of the dust cover. You should be able to hold the 2x2 in place with one hand and tap the other end of the 2x2 with a hammer with the other. Rotate the rotor 180 degrees and repeat, repeat, repeat... I always use this method and it works great!

Good luck..

-B

[GeorgeW]

Hi Jim,
On my 86 the dust cover seems to extend into the hub assembly. I can not see the end edge of it touching the hub. In doing searches it seems others have 'tapped' it out with hammer or used a 2" exhaust clamp fixed to it to provide purchase. What started as a 'simple' project has already taken the morning and I havent even passed go yet. My plan was to install redone calipers, replace B'stein shocks in Boge struts, and replace rotors. May just punt on the rotors and shocks and try again later.

[gsxrken]

I did my bearings a month ago, and yes, on the 930 the cap is inside the spacer. There is a very easy way to get them out. Go to the hardware store and buy a 10MM bolt about 2 inches long, get some big washers and buy a 10mm nut for the bolt. Back at the house, use something with a hole in the center that will span across your lug nuts. I used a 5lb plate from my free weights exercise bench. Back at the car, spin your new 10mm nut all the way up the threads on your new 10mm bolt, slide on the washers, put the weight plate across the lugs, and screw the 10mm bolt into the dust cap. Now run the nut down the bolt so that it acts on the weight plate, and as you continue to turn the nut with box end wrench it draws the bolt out and the cap will pull right off. Takes about 8 seconds a side now that I have the bolt/nut/washers.
Ken

[bell]

a chunk of wood and a big ****** hammer.......hit, rotate, hit, rotate,hit, rotate........repeat until it comes off, just be carewfull not to hit the hub with the hammer

[GeorgeW]

Thanks guys. Was able to get it off with the wood and have replaced the rotors.