Pulling rear hub question
 

Hello!

I have a set of 5-lug rear hubs that I plan to install in the near future. I've read the Haynes, etc. books as well as the Pelican article on replacing the rear hubs.

Question: Is it really necessary to hammer the hub out from the inside? If I have a hub-puller, can I do the job (new bearings etc) from outside of the control arm?

What am I missing?

In order to pull a hub, bearing, whatever you need to have something to push against. Most pullers pull on a flange and push in the middle, or versa visa.

With the 914 rear hub you could try and push against the axle but the axle will push out long before you get the hub to move unless it is really trashed. You will have to come up with something to push against.
If you can figure a way to use a puller, go for it. It will prolly require some creative engineering but anything is possible.

One other thing: using a puller puts a strong axial load on the bearings which will brinnell the races and balls, basically reducing the life of them a bunch. I'd plan on replacing the bearings no matter what.