A project that started off simple enough has cascaded into a weekend-long PITA and it's time to ask for some help. I'm trying to remove my front hub but i can't get it to separate from the axle. I've undone/removed all necessary bolts and ball joints to get it apart, but the damn axle is stuck in the hub. I rented an axle puller and ill give it a try tonight, but was wondering if there is some sort of circlip or something holding this thing together so tightly? I was hoping it would just slide out once everything was disconnected. I guessed wrong. any pointers to separate the hub from the axle would be much appreciated!

 

Have you removed the axle nut?

 

yep! axle nut was actually easier to spin off than I was reading it would be.

 

I think the usual method is to tap it out with a plastic mallet. Hitting the end of the drive shaft.

 

Man-sized whacks with a dead-blow usually loosen them up. You do have some surface rust, likely things are a bit siezed. Heating the axle end then cooling might also help.

Ben

 

success! thanks you guys for the tips to give it a whack. i wasnt sure if there was something else mechanical holding it all together, but a good spraying of pb blaster and a couple of smacks with a hammer and piece of wood and out it came. phew. All this BS just to install longer front wheels studs so I can start running my "budget" bbs rims I got for a steal off craigslist. Thanks again.