drive axle seized in wheel hub

dletc · Post by **dletc** » 21 Aug 2008, 23:50

I am in the process of changing the left drive axle and wheel bearing hub but I am literally stuck. the drive axle is seized in the hub and I cannot break it free. I tried squirting plenty of PB and banging the end of the axle with a hammer without success. does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for your help in advance.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 21 Aug 2008, 23:54

Here's one man's method:

"Try putting some liquid wrench on there the night before. The kit has a new 36mm nuts, so what I do is take the old nut and screw it down so it's almost starting to show threads but not quite, and then with a large hammer I smack the nut until the axle breaks loose from the splines and starts to go in."

I think a bigger hammer is in order.

You dont want to hit the end of the axle without the nut on there because you can deform the axle and make it very difficult to remove. Also, put lots of anti-seize on the new axle so it doesn't get stuck too.

db130 · Post by **db130** » 22 Aug 2008, 11:30

Heat up the hub with a handheld mapp gas torch in conjunction with the pb blaster soaking beforehand. The hub will expand due to the heat, enabling the PB Blaster to penetrate more effectively. THEN take the hammer to the nut as previously mentioned.

Alternatively, you could borrow/buy a cv axle puller: http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-S70V70-1998 ... -730-2540/

Post by **akitawagon** » 22 Aug 2008, 19:46

I had the same problem as you with the 36mm nut still stuck after soaking it in P'Blaster (like liquid wrench) for a few days and smacking the nut (not the axle) with the big hammer.

I didn't have a torch to heat it up (some of those small ones you can get at home depot are supposed to be good), so I ended up just using a 4-5 foot section of pipe slipped on my ratchet to give me better leverage to break the nut free.

If you have air tools it might easier, but the longer pipe definitely helps so that you can use your full weight on it as opposed to just your upper body strength.

ANIGAV Inc. · Post by **ANIGAV Inc.** » 23 Aug 2008, 06:28

thanks for this

oki-inu · Post by **oki-inu** » 24 Aug 2008, 00:56

I had the same problem, thought I'd never get it off. Then I got a Front Hub Puller.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002S ... B0002SRF6C

It came off like butter.

dletc · Post by **dletc** » 27 Aug 2008, 23:25

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I bought a wheel hub puller and got the axle free. It was fairly easy, but I did have to put a lot of elbow grease into it. Using a can of PB, hitting the end with the biggest hammer I could find, and using an impact hammer would just not free it, though.

rcannon · Post by **rcannon** » 06 Aug 2011, 10:47

Mine was corroded too and I ended up making a puller, just 1/2" plate with 5 holes to match the hub, and 12mm metric bolts. Worked great. Cost me $25 to have it made. Wonder if there is a market for these? Could be made much cheaper in quantity.