Title is self explanatory. I made an attempt to remove my wheel hub assembly a few months ago and couldn't get the darn thing to pop off. I was able to free up the axle and get all of the bolts out without a problem, but the hub seemed to be pretty stuck. I am thinking about ordering one of these - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0741GH2T1/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=A6XMRZGDZ26J1&psc=1 The car is a 2015 WRX. Any tips or tricks before I pull the trigger on this tool? Thanks!
So just couldn't get the hub to free up from the knuckle with your brakes, axle nut, and hub bolts removed?
Exactly. I tried hammering it, used a chisel around the edges.. couldn't make any progress. I just bolted it back together and gave up. I bet an air hammer with a chisel tip might help but I don't have one.
The guys at the dealership where I worked all had their little way, but most ended up beating the hell out of it with an air hammer. One guy had that tool, and swore by it, but none of the others seemed to buy into it. You can use a slide hammer to pull the hub flange out of the bearing housing. Back the bolts out a bit and hammer on them, sometimes a longer bolt with the same threads (Subaru's fine thread metric affliction can make that a challenge) can help with that.
I have to believe this is the most common technique for any repair on the underside of cars that spend their life in Minnesota.
I do have a compressor and hose! Sounds like I'll go air hammer route first. I'm seeing $14.99 at Harbor Freight... why not. I'll swing by there this weekend! Thanks for the tips.
If PB does not do it I have had much better luck using Kroil. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0003041WK/ref=twister_B07DGTK38K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Update: the air hammer worked!! I spent about an hour or so just working it around the nonexistent gap between the hub assembly and the spindle. I eventually got it into a groove and went to pound town on dat assembly. This was definitely one of the most satisfying moments in my (short) DIY auto repair history. I'll definitely be using the $15 air hammer for future projects. What a neat tool. Anyways, the car drives great - no more slight humming or vibrations. Thanks again for the input! Here's some pics - https://imgur.com/a/08ye0iU
My hearing is so bad that I wear ear plugs for everything...even farting. I can't stress enough to young people to protect your hearing. You are doing damage every day with earbuds, loud exhaust, etc. Hearing aids to not "correct" the condition as well as eyeglasses correct failing vision. Seriously...it is no fun when you get old and have to deal with it.
Good work! I know that feeling. I had some exhaust nuts on my 1UZ V8 that I'm prepping for a swap that rounded off. Got out the air hammer, and chiseled at the side of the nut til I had nice groove, and then at an angle to get the nut to spin, and after 30 seconds or so, they started spinning. Got all of them off without damaging the studs! It's a fantastic tool, just be careful, as it's easy to damage stuff...
