removing 84 Carrera wheel bearing dust covers???

[btaft]

I am replacing my rotors and brake pads on my 84 Carrera.

I am having trouble removing the dust cover on the end of the axle so I can get the rotor off.

I have tried vise grips, penetrating oil, tapping it with a hammer and chisel, and using an air hammer on it. Nothing budges it. Same on both sides. As you can see by the picture, I'm afraid if go after it any harder I will destroy it. Any advice is appreciated.

[newms]

I use a round punch and heavy hammer. Rest the punch on the hub and angle it to the outer edge of the cover. Give it a smack, rotate hub, smack, rotate, smack and so on. it will come.

[CharlesJones]

And I use a similar method but with using large channel lock pliers. Grab the cover with the pliers held vertically, and give the pliers a couple of assertive taps with a hammer. Rotate the wheel slightly, grip the cover again with the pliers, and give a couple more assertive taps, and continue like that. The trick is to not expect to beat the thing off with just a few mighty blows, but to just keep using a couple of sharp taps each time your rotate the wheel. The cover won't look like its moving at all first, but by the time you have repeated for a couple of full revolutions you should see it start to move.

My covers appeared to be absolutely stuck solid on my first attempts to remove them. I had even contemplated cutting them off, but then tried this method and it took about 2 minutes to remove the cover each side. You really don't need to hit too hard - just sharp assertive taps is all you need - and be very careful not to hit the soft thread of your wheel bolts.

[450knotOffice]

I just did this today, so it's fresh in my memory.

Go get yourself a muffler clamp from any auto parts store for about three bucks, then do this:



Use another hammer to moderately hit the first hammer on it's top end (the area in the far upper left corner of the picture). Hit inward toward the centerline of the car. The dust cap will begin to pull out a tiny bit. Rotate the hammer about 180 degrees and do it again, and again, and again. You'll get it loose in one to two minutes or less.

Technique wise, I like to place the back of my hammer up against a wheel stud, rather than the hub face, in order to gain more leverage for prying. You won't hurt the stud or it's threads.

[Hodgey]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

I just did this today, so it's fresh in my memory.

Go get yourself a muffler clamp from any auto parts store for about three bucks, then do this:



Use another hammer to moderately hit the first hammer on it's top end (the area in the far upper left corner of the picture). Hit inward toward the centerline of the car. The dust cap will begin to pull out a tiny bit. Rotate the hammer about 180 degrees and do it again, and again, and again. You'll get it loose in one to two minutes or less.

Technique wise, I like to place the back of my hammer up against a wheel stud, rather than the hub face, in order to gain more leverage for prying. You won't hurt the stud or it's threads.

Be extremely careful when hitting the hammer head that is locked in against the clamp; the heads are hardened and brittle and will shatter.....wear safety glasses or you'll end up like a friend of mine who has only one peeper left.......

[rusnak]

Special Tools

[911 in SC]

I agree with Hodgey. Be very careful when hitting a hammer with another hammer. I had to have a sliver of the smaller hammer head removed from my thumb many years ago. Not life changing, but still painful.

[Hodgey]

Originally Posted by 911 in SC

I agree with Hodgey. Be very careful when hitting a hammer with another hammer. I had to have a sliver of the smaller hammer head removed from my thumb many years ago. Not life changing, but still painful.

Mike, not to hijack but........DAMN!!!!!!!...GP White is gorgeous isn't it?

[911 in SC]

Yes it is! I truly love it. The only thing better is sitting behind the wheel of a GPW!

[efhughes3]

+3 or wherever we are now-don't hit one hammer with another, that is not good.

The 2" muffler clamp is good, and once it is on, you can hammer on it. More leverage and you don't beat up your cap.

[450knotOffice]

Ok guys. Next time I'll wear goggles...

(I've hit many a hammer with another hammer, and never had so much as a sliver pop off)

[john walker's workshop]

your first reply, post #2, is how it's done. quick and easy. i use a big hammer and a large blunt chisel, but same thing.