Help needed with wheel studs removal

Axeman · 01-02-2003, 12:03 PM

I've been traying to switch my wheel studs over the holiday but I noticed that you can't take them out since they'll hit the parking brake assembly. Does the hub need to come off and how do you do it? Do I need a special tool/puller of some sort? I've never done it, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Superman · 01-02-2003, 01:46 PM

John Walker says they can be pushed out through a hole in the backing plate. Apprently, you can remove the park brake cable (I think), and drive them out and in through that hole. If JW says it, it can be relied upon. Do a search to find that discussion.

Removing the rear hubs (like for the purpose of replacing wheel studs) destroys the rear bearings. They are not cheap to buy, and a special tool is required to install them.

Axeman · 01-02-2003, 03:08 PM

Thanks Superman. I didn't see any hole where they could come out of. Looks like the parking brake assembly has to come out and I'm not too sure on how to do that. Do you need special tools for taking out some of the screws or springs? I will go ahead and do a search and see what I can find.

Thanks!

gumba · 01-02-2003, 03:58 PM

I was able to replace the studs without taking the hub off. I think there is enough room to get the stud out without undoing the handbrake. I would press one of the studs out first and see if it clears the plate. You don't need special tools to undo the handbrake. Just do one side at a time incase you forget how it goes back together. I spend $20 on a big C clamp from Orchard Supply to press the studs out. I squirted the studs with Liquid Wrench, put the clamp on, tightened it up, and tapped the end with a hammer, re-tightened the clamp, tapped some more. Kept doing this until it popped out. I used a steel nut on the stud to give me a little more clamping surface. Don't try and just beat the stud out with a hammer as you could damage the wheel bearing.