Can't get axle out of bearing hub -tried EVERYTHING!

[MrPc]

Okay, I'm confused now....... Is the axle stuck in the transmission, or stuck in the hub?

... Re-reading the original post, it appears that he's trying to free it from the knuckle, in which case I think the puller is still a valid approach.

Also, I notice that nobody has suggested letting it soak in penetrating oil, something else I tried before resorting to the 3 prong pulller. I bet that's already been tried....

Paul

[BEJinFbk]

Good Point - Some pics would help.
And as always - PB Blaster FTW.

[cn90]

Trust me, I have done it:
1. Soak in PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.
2. Then heat with propane torch, a little smoke will come out.
3. Use the 3-leg gear puller.

It will come out.

[abscate]

...and PB Blaster starting 3 days before work, to let it work its magic!!

[ThatBitch_MacGuyver]

I've soaked the heck out of the HUB in PBS blaster and nothing seems to work. Is their a circlip I missed that retains the axle into the hub/ wheel bearing? I will have pictures later I promise . I'm not trying to yank the cv from the transmission just the hub. To clarify, the hub is the knuckle with the wheel bearing attached to it. That is what I am trying to separate. The axle from the hub.

[MrPc]

There's no circlip. Just corrosion/friction.

xHeart already touched on this, but it's still not clear: Have you got the steering knuckle detached from either the lower control arm or the strut? If it's not, I don't think there's enough slop in the cv's to push the shaft out. But I expect there would be plenty enough to at least break it free. But when I did mine, it didn't pop free the way things normally do with a puller. It slow pressed out, resisting all the way...

I would try heating next. Maybe a few taps on the puller when it's all bound up? Oil the puller threads and bearing surface well...

Paul

[abscate]

...and PB blaster needs time to work. Like days. Keep hitting it and letting it work in.

[xHeart]

Trust me, I have done it:
1. Soak in PB Blaster, WD-40 etc.
2. Then heat with propane torch, a little smoke will come out.
3. Use the 3-leg gear puller.

It will come out.

Below is a photo from my project.
In addition, Ozark Lee and cn90 refer to ride-height in their notes, where the axle/CV is most at ease.
It may cooperate.

axle removed...

MVS_0457.jpg (368.2 KiB) Viewed 1070 times

[erikv11]

There's no circlip. Just corrosion/friction.

xHeart already touched on this, but it's still not clear: Have you got the steering knuckle detached from either the lower control arm or the strut? If it's not, I don't think there's enough slop in the cv's to push the shaft out. But I expect there would be plenty enough to at least break it free. But when I did mine, it didn't pop free the way things normally do with a puller. It slow pressed out, resisting all the way...

I would try heating next. Maybe a few taps on the puller when it's all bound up? Oil the puller threads and bearing surface well...

Paul

This.

- Don't do anything until you separate the control arm from the knuckle
- Somewhere in this thread people got confused and started posting about the axle in the trans (circlip); there is no circlip at the hub.
- I would definitely not yank apart the CV.
- Lots of PBblaster
- A little heat
- You are almost surely dealing here with metal adhesive from the factory, or from a replacement. It will ease apart not pop, so use the puller.
- Use a mix of tapping on the axle nut (know that you will ruin the nut but PROTECT the axle threads - I have an axle nut I use specifically for un-sticking stuck axles) and, the 3-prong puller

Nothing new, all these bits were already posted, but FWIW it's what I would do.

[ThatBitch_MacGuyver]

I will try a little torch work next but from using the 3 prong puller it seems it should have released it a little. I know the boards have all the answers I could do a little more digging to find the answer but I have to say that direct answering is the best. I thank all of you for your kind insight and encouragement I don't think I could have found more in depth answers than I have right now. Thank you. It's off to the races now I gotta pull everything apart again and try to use the torch without igniting my car on fire.

BTW. I'm working out doors on a pea stone and gravel driveway with a piece of 4'x4' plywood as my work surface. My suggestion is to use an Easy-up tent next time or the "tramp stamp" area on your butt will get a nice red smile on it.....like mine, or use plenty of sunscreen. This year especially because of the solar flare. Just thought I'd throw those conditions in there. Heh heh heh.
-Woody