How to get a stuck wheel bearing hub assembly off?
Summary
Removing a stuck wheel bearing hub assembly can be challenging, but our forum users have shared several methods that might help. Suggestions range from using penetrating lubricants and specialized pullers to more forceful techniques. Remember to exercise caution and follow safety advice when attempting these methods. One user successfully removed stuck hubs and pulleys after trying a custom puller setup.
Here's what our forum users are saying:
- "Spray the key way up as much as possible... Use a wheel puller. Tap gently on the hub. Do not stand in front of it. It will come off fast and hard and could smash a toe" -- prezek, Lawnsite
- "Put it on, tighten, take a hammer, tap it with a hammer at 4 different sides, tighten 1/4 turn, tap it again with the hammer, repeat, repeat, ete. Leave the nut on, just a few thread so when it pops it will not fall on your toes.... Air hammer better with a socket adapter. This may take some time....." -- Breezmeister, Lawnsite
- "Yeah, penetrating lube, puller, tapping around the circumference until it moves and not completely removing the axle nut are all I'd be focused on too." -- rlitman, Lawnsite
- "A slide hammer hub puller...You bolt it onto the lugs, and pull the whole thing off with the slide hammer." -- rlitman, Lawnsite
Post Mentions
- Spray the key way up as much as possible. Tough to get in there though. Use a wheel puller. Tap gently on the hub. Do not stand in front of it. It will come off fast and hard and could smash a toe (I may know a guy who did this).
- Ok, I had to look it up, and it was nothing like I was picturing (I didn't realize it was a keyed shaft). I see what you mean now. Yeah, penetrating lube, puller, tapping around the circumference until it moves and not completely removing the axle nut are all I'd be focused on too.
- Thanks on all the suggestions! I got both hubs off and both pulleys off hydros all within 1/2 hour. I took 2 lug nuts (4 total) and butted the taperd sides butted up against each other while screwed onto a 1/2 x 20 bolt. Then welded the two nuts together filling in the tapered section. Screwed...
- Eeh. I don't see that helping. Your tire is only butting up to the face of that hub. Nothing is going to jar the hub loose. Or if you leave your lugs a little loose, you can screw up some threads and now are buying new studs. Just get a wheel puller. It'll be off in no time.
- No, it's not special, just a Northern puller, you can get one from HF. Put it on, tighten, take a hammer, tap it with a hammer at 4 different sides, tighten 1/4 turn, tap it again with the hammer, repeat, repeat, ete. Leave the nut on, just a few thread so when it pops it will not fall on your...
- I was at HF.. didn't see large puller like in above pic? I will go back and look again. Saw smaller ones.
- Those things are life savers!
- Just curious what adapter are you using ?
- Glad to see you got there. I slept on it, and realized exactly what I'd have done. A slide hammer hub puller. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it before. Here's HF's version: You bolt it onto the lugs, and pull the whole thing off with the slide hammer.
- Stupid question (and someone, please correct me if I'm wrong here), but in cars, if the wheel or rotor is stuck to the hub, one option is to loosen the lug nuts (and in this case the axle nut), and drive it around slowly. Perhaps over a speed bump or two. That usually breaks things free before...
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