Rear hub stuck in bearing in car, halp?

[TSI]

I'm in the process of doing my rear bearings. Left side was easy, right side has had me stumped for 3 weeks now. Essentially, the hub is stuck in the bearing, which is in turn obviously still in the rear trailing arm. Without removing the hub, I can't get to the bearing.

Since there is a large hole in the middle of the hub (where the axle shaft goes), I can't get a puller on it. I've tried hammering it out from the inboard side for about 10 hours now, not a budge, I've soaked it in penetrating oil for 4 days too. I've also tries using lug bolts against a backing surface (parking brake is off), just bent two lug bolts :(

I'm all out of ideas, any suggestions?

The hub spins, and rocks back and forth a bit. This play is between the two races of the bearing.

[oliver.r]

use a 3 armed puller, thats what i used

[Todd Black 88]

Tried a proper bearing puller yet?

[TSI]

I can't get a puller on it--there's nothing to pull against. I'm not even at the bearing stage--for that, I do have a puller, which worked well on the other side.
Basically, number 1 is stuck in number 2. The middle is hollow, hence my inability to use a puller.


Here it is, don't mind the rust.

[FredK]

To bust that free you need brute force.

You can rent a slide hammer from Auto Zone, together with a slide hammer flange that bolts onto the face of the hub. You then unleash pure violence on the slide hammer to get the hub to bust free. You'll also want a bearing puller kit. For really seized bearings, oftentimes a screw-type extractor won't work, so you'll have to once again rely on brute force.

[reelizmpro]

I use a bearing separator as a backing plate...then push against it by screwing the lug bolts through the hub. This will pull the hub out of the housing. If the bearing race comes with it, then use a puller on that. It's all about having the right tools around.

[TSI]

To bust that free you need brute force.

You can rent a slide hammer from Auto Zone, together with a slide hammer flange that bolts onto the face of the hub. You then unleash pure violence on the slide hammer to get the hub to bust free. You'll also want a bearing puller kit. For really seized bearings, oftentimes a screw-type extractor won't work, so you'll have to once again rely on brute force.

Ok, will try that...I'll deal with the stuck bearing when I get to it.

[Liquidity]

Can't do it with the arm hanging like that. You need to put a jack stand underneath the trailing arm and lower the weight of the car down on it. Then use a slide hammer. If you leave the arm hanging in the air, it will just move every time you hit it. The energy needs to be transferred to something solid like the ground.

[TSI]

I use a bearing separator as a backing plate...then push against it by screwing the lug bolts through the hub. This will pull the hub out of the housing. If the bearing race comes with it, then use a puller on that. It's all about having the right tools around.

Tried that, gave me two bent and now stuck lug bolts.

[ahlem]

Put the axle back in so you have something for your puller to connect to. Make sure the axle is as straight as possible. It may amaze you how little force it takes with the puller vs. all the banging.

[reelizmpro]

I've done that way several times without issue. That wouldn't happen if you use the right size separator and if you made sure the bolts were straight and you used even pressure but I guess you now have more work ahead of you...that sucks.

[uturn]

Looks bad... just go buy a rust free trailing arm with good bearings at your local salvage yard.

[efficient]

[QUOredK;4154400]To bust that free you need brute force.

You can rent a slide hammer from Auto Zone, together with a slide hammer flange that bolts onto the face of the hub. You then unleash pure violence on the slide hammer to get the hub to bust free. You'll also want a bearing puller kit. For really seized bearings, oftentimes a screw-type extractor won't work, so you'll have to once again rely on brute force.[/QUOTE]
This method works, just be ready for your arms to be sore the next day.

Can't do it with the arm hanging like that. You need to put a jack stand underneath the trailing arm and lower the weight of the car down on it. Then use a slide hammer. If you leave the arm hanging in the air, it will just move every time you hit it. The energy needs to be transferred to something solid like the ground.

Ive done it with the arm just hanging just leave the shock in place and it should be fine.

[Todd Black 88]

Use the proper bearing puller/press. Not a three jaw puller, the actual tool designed to do that job. Beg, borrow, or rent one.
Harbour frieght makes a cheap version of the tool, that's about $75 with the online coupon. It's the front wheel drive bearing kit on their site.

I bought one a couple years ago, and I have done about 8 sets of rear bearings with it with out issue.

#2 in the diagram is just a circlip to lock the bearing in place, it's stuck in the bearing.

[TSI]

Use the proper bearing puller/press. Not a three jaw puller, the actual tool designed to do that job. Beg, borrow, or rent one.
Harbour frieght makes a cheap version of the tool, that's about $75 with the online coupon. It's the front wheel drive bearing kit on their site.

I bought one a couple years ago, and I have done about 8 sets of rear bearings with it with out issue.

#2 in the diagram is just a circlip to lock the bearing in place, it's stuck in the bearing.

Again, I can't get the bearing puller in there, as there is nothing to lever against. I have the specific SIR b90 for this job. Gonna try the slide hammer again, perhaps with a hot/cool cycle on the hub and bracing it with a jack. I will also try to get some 90degree circlip pliers and try to get the circlip out from behind the hub, and hammer it out riding the hub. Pulling the trailing arm is unlikely--i think the bolts are even more stuck than this.

I also don't want to put the axle back in and use it as a lever point for the puller-- the amount of force I'm applying will damage the cv joints.