Secret to removing front hub assembly???

[JJs 88 Wrangler]

I have an 88 Jeep Wrangler. I cannot removed the front hub assembly. I removed the 3 bolts, but she won't budge. Also, can the axel shaft and the hub assembly be removed as one unit?? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank You

 

[SteelHeadz]

It's a SECRET, we can't tell you..J/K..Chances are , the hub is stuck on the knuckle. Try spraying some rust penetrant on the hub and knuckle assembly and gently use a hammer to tap around the hub flange to loosen it off. If you have a slide hammer, that would work better. If you have an old rotor, you can flip that inside out, install the lug bolts and use a hammer to pound the hub off around the rotor. And yes, if i remember correctly, the axle shaft can be removed with the hub as a unit.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Careful with a slide hammer, you can pull the hub apart if the axlenut is removed. You can leave the axle attached to the hub and pull them as a unit.

After spraying the hub with PB Blaster where it meets the knuckle, put the 3 13mm bolts back in the back side of the knuckle. Tighten them to within 1/8" of being tight. Put a socket over the bolt head and alternate tapping on each bolt until they are flush with the knuckle. Then back them out 1/8" and repeat. This will work the hub out from the knuckle.

 

[JJs 88 Wrangler]

Thanks Guys.

 

[SteelHeadz]

OOOH yes, i forgot about that 2 piece bearing race. I'm glad Bounty_Hunter caught that. Do what he suggest, it's safer..

 

[rocks9440]

I dont know what wed all do without Bounty Hunter, your awesome!!

 

[buckshot500]

There's also someway to put a socket between the hub & knuckle, then use the steering wheel to force it apart. I've never done it though & can't remember where i saw the instructions.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

There's also someway to put a socket between the hub & knuckle, then use the steering wheel to force it apart. I've never done it though & can't remember where i saw the instructions.

Maybe here? D30 Ball Joint Replacement - 1

 

[buckshot500]

Maybe here? D30 Ball Joint Replacement - 1

Thank you sir! you are a gentleman & a scholar!!!:!:

I have bookmarked that link & all the links within it.

This link is the exact method I saw previously, & the one that will help the O/P in this thread.
Unit Bearing - 1

 

[Eviltanker]

Careful with a slide hammer, you can pull the hub apart if the axlenut is removed. You can leave the axle attached to the hub and pull them as a unit.

After spraying the hub with PB Blaster where it meets the knuckle, put the 3 13mm bolts back in the back side of the knuckle. Tighten them to within 1/8" of being tight. Put a socket over the bolt head and alternate tapping on each bolt until they are flush with the knuckle. Then back them out 1/8" and repeat. This will work the hub out from the knuckle.

I did this with my 95 to get it apart to replace the knuckle and it works really good.

 

[Vlad]

In the past I have used a slide hammer, air chisel, and just plain beat it with a hammer, once I learned this method life became very easy, I tell everyone I can about it. I usually use an extension or socket, whatever has the best fit. Never had a problem getting one out since.