Hub removal / Wheel bearing help!

on-ramp · 02-26-2005, 05:49 PM

So i got everything off, including caliper, nut, and and the hub/rotor assembly doesn't just slide off like it's supposed to. what's up? do i need some kind of removal tool to pull it out from the spindle? thanks.

Rot 911 · 02-26-2005, 05:52 PM

Probably hung up on the oil seal. Wiggle it from side to side to pop out the outer bearing then just grab the rotor and give it a good jerk.

on-ramp · 02-26-2005, 05:55 PM

tried that but nothing. is it possible the outer bearing is pressed onto the spindle shaft?

Rot 911 · 02-26-2005, 05:59 PM

The outer bearing is not supposed to be pressed on. Now if the roller bearings went bad the bearing could sieze to the spindle. In that case you will have to remove the shield behind the rotor and use a BIG gear puller which will probably screw up the rotor. Are you having the same problem on both sides? Just to double check you did remove the pinch nut on the spindle, the one that holds the hub on? I know you said you removed it, just thought I would double check.

john walker's workshop · 02-26-2005, 06:01 PM

the outer bearing should come right out. occasionally they get friction welded to the spindle if they run out of grease. they look burned and black in that case. sometimes the inner race gets a bit stuck on the spindle and you have to knock the rotor and hub loose with a plastic mallet, popping out the inner bearing and seal in the process, and leaving them on the spindle to deal with next.

on-ramp · 02-26-2005, 06:04 PM

no, the other side (driver's side) was just fine, the outer bearing just slid off easily and the entire rotor/hub sub-assembly came off easily.
on this side, it doesnt slide off and yes, i did remove the pinch nut from spindle thread.

john walker's workshop · 02-26-2005, 06:08 PM

big plastic no-bounce hammer behind the rotor where the caliper was.

Todd Simpson · 02-26-2005, 06:09 PM

I had trouble with this a few days ago. I put a block of wood between the top of the rotor and strut to keep it sqaure to the spindle, then pried with another block of wood against the A arm on the bottom.

With very light pressure it popped right off. I've used the sharp pull method before, but this time the car is way up on jackstands.

on-ramp · 02-26-2005, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
big plastic no-bounce hammer behind the rotor where the caliper was.

pounding as hard as i could for 20 minutes. nothing. it's never easy, is it? first it took me 1 1/2 hr to remove 2 stubborn 19mm bolts for the calipers, now this.

john walker's workshop · 02-26-2005, 10:57 PM

you might have to kill the outer bearing. it's inner race may be friction welded to the spindle. it's still in there, right? if you can break it's spacer cage and fish the rollers out, the hub will pass over the inner race. wear some eye protection for the hell of it.

on-ramp · 02-27-2005, 08:33 AM

i think i destroyed most of "the cage" around the rollers but they dont come out. they just roll around in there.
****ing *****!

on-ramp · 02-27-2005, 11:36 AM

By the way, Kurt, the "V" wouldn't happen to stand for "Vonnegut", would it?

john walker's workshop · 02-27-2005, 01:00 PM

get some cage sections out of there. grab them and pry them out. then the rollers will go to the bottom, and you can get them with a magnet, or a small screwdriver.

on-ramp · 02-27-2005, 01:40 PM

once again, thanks John, it worked, it was a pain, but it worked. now to polish the shaft and get it all back together.
what's the proper orientation for the seal in the back?
and anything else i should apply upon re-assembly than just wheel bearing grease?