Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewwynn
I have a tool I made for cleaning splines.
I cut off the end of an old axle. I ground off about .003" all the way around except for about 1/3" about 1/2" fromm the end.
I will pound that through the hub rotating about 1/8th a turn putting in pb blaster or the like.
I will repeat until I don't need a hammer and can just push though with my thumb.
Then I will pinch a tiny bit of steel wool on one "side" (eg 3 o'clock), and work that though with a hammer and rotate to 4:30, 6:00 etc.
When done with that treatment, the axle will drop right though the hub every time.
Oh: the best tip for getting an axle though a hub:
Leave the tower strut nuts loose until you get the axle though the hub.
One day I was having as much trouble as you. Spent 90 minutes trying to get the axle though the hub, loosened the strut tower bolts and the rubber boot from the CV shot the axle though without me touching it!
I keep the tool with my mechanics tools. I always run that though the hub before reinstalling.
I've had a couple cases of needing to apply 15T of force to remove a hub. FYI you can make your own axle press from an old rotor and a large bolt. I have a special setup I use I can find pictures if it will help
|
This is awesome! One of these days I'll have space to get a lathe and mill and have fun like this. But my axle puller tool will be here tomorrow, so not too bad
As far as technique, I was definitely able to get it further in without the strut attached to the knuckle, but any kind up/down/side motion didn't help my case. I didn't think to leave the strut tower bolts loose, but hopefully it will be a non-issue once I get the puller tool! Again, thanks everyone for all the good suggestions. I'm 100% determined that I'll have the front end suspension wrapped up this weekend so I can move on to my next pain: the valve stem seals