Front Hub/Wheel Bearing Assembly Bolts? - Page 2

iametarq · #16 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 08:27 PM

I fail.

I can't get two of the three hub bolts off. The top one started to round so I'm quiting. I'm going to call my shop first thing in the morning. And I'll have them do the labor. They must use an impact wrench or something. I sprayed PB Blaster on it and let it soak for an hour, and still no luck.

I hate feeling defeated.

Dadillac · #17 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iametarq

I fail.

I can't get two of the three hub bolts off. The top one started to round so I'm quiting. I'm going to call my shop first thing in the morning. And I'll have them do the labor. They must use an impact wrench or something. I sprayed PB Blaster on it and let it soak for an hour, and still no luck.

I hate feeling defeated.

It is important to use a six point socket on the bolts. I used a 12 pointer and rounded one bolt on each side. I had to drill through the hub plate all the way through the bolt. Not fun but not too bad. Bought a 6 point for install and everything went well. It makes it a ton easier if you turn the wheel for easier access. I also used a swivel extension that made it easier too. If you can't fit the 34mm socket through your wheel opening, you can always mount the spare briefly to accomplish the same thing. Takes a few extra minutes but saves a lot of time and cursing.

Don

iametarq · #18 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 09:42 PM

I tried my 6 point 13mm, but it was only a 1/4 drive and I snapped it.

It's Craftsman so I'll go exchange it next week. I sort of put myself in a crunch so I'll go let the pro's do it. I tried the wheel trick which did help a bit but the way the hex head is position I have very little room to get a good turn out of it. If that makes sense. I've got the boot right up next, with the clip point right next to my socket. Oh well. Life goes on. I really need the larger car this weekend ( long drive weekend ). I'll try again on the left side when that fails...maybe I'll ask the shop to loosen and unfreeze those bolts on the left side.

The large 34mm hub nut actually came off without any problems at all!

iametarq · #19 (**permalink**) 01-15-09, 09:16 AM

$120 for labor, and they'll have it done today. Not too shabby. I'll feel better when it's all done.

iametarq · #20 (**permalink**) 06-01-09, 12:12 AM

Just ordered my 2nd hub bearing for the driver's side. The TCC / ABS error when I hit bumps is now happening when dry, too, occasionally, if i hit a bump or a particular set of railroad tracks the right way too fast.

www.autopartsdirecttoyou.com and has a $10 off code "10giftvista" they gave me with the last order. Grand total of $79.99 shipped to my door.

has lifetime warranty with them as well, assuming the place sticks round for a while!

cl1986 · #21 (**permalink**) 06-01-09, 12:33 AM

Just pulled a bearing today....only about the 5th time ive had them off..

Mine are torx 50 ( i think its 50.....the biggest one in the set) on my 94

34mm socket is a little loose, pound the axle in with a hammer, comes apart.....the first time they were pulled it was a PITA seperating the axle from hub.

iametarq · #22 (**permalink**) 08-23-09, 03:03 PM

holy crap. i am doing my front drivers side hub. the 3 bolts holing it on are though to unscrew!!! i have one off and the other 2 are coming real slow. they are so damn snug!!! i will not do0 this job again myself. i am just not strong enough!

now i am stuck at getting the actual hub assembly out. all bolts are removed. do i need a huge sledge hammer like i used on my Chrysler ??

I can see the axle sliding back and forth if I lightly tap on it with a hammer.

iametarq · #23 (**permalink**) 08-23-09, 04:20 PM

BIGGER HAMMERS WORK BEST

!!!!!!!!! two sledges going at each side got it off.

heh, i just realied that the speed sensor part of the hub/bearing did NOT come off with the rest of it, it was still stuck on the car!!! i'll post some pictures when i'm done.

MrEldo97 · #24 (**permalink**) 08-24-09, 10:10 AM

I bought a BCA from hub from Autozone. BCA is a good brand name for bearings and the hub is holding up.

ewill3rd · #25 (**permalink**) 08-24-09, 10:20 AM

The bolts are 13mm head but they are tapered.
If they start to round put that 13mm away.

Get a 1/2" socket and an extension. Get a hammer and tap the 1/2" socket on there as far as it will go THEN take the bolts out.

Those tapered head bolts suck. Yeah they are tight... 1/4" drive????
Um.... no.
3/8" if you are lucky but 1/2" may be what you need. Get a breaker bar to bust them loose.

iametarq · #26 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

The bolts are 13mm head but they are tapered.
If they start to round put that 13mm away.

Get a 1/2" socket and an extension. Get a hammer and tap the 1/2" socket on there as far as it will go THEN take the bolts out.

Those tapered head bolts suck. Yeah they are tight... 1/4" drive????
Um.... no.

Yes the 1/4" drive was a what the hell situation, never expected it to actually get it out. I'll use the 1/2" idea on the rears, assuming the bolts are the same as the fronts, if this comes up ever again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by will3rd

3/8" if you are lucky but 1/2" may be what you need. Get a breaker bar to bust them loose.

I used a smaller 3/8" drive breaker bar to get them all loose, but man even that was a squeeze on that top bolt!

Here are some of pictures of what came out:

Here's the broken hub, with the speed sensor part still stuck in the knuckle.

Other questions...

Is this decay caused by my Michigan weather?

Do I need to worry about this outer cover for the end of the axle piece?

Is this my lower ball joint? I didn't know they were so small.

**Ranger** · #27 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 05:05 PM

Pic #2 - Yes, that is corrosion cause by winter salt.

Pic #3 - That's just paint chipping off of the axle. No worse than any other undercarriage part. Nothing to worry about. Put some antiseize or some grease on the splines when you reassemble it.

Pic #4 - Yeah, that looks like the ball joint.

iametarq · #28 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Pic #2 - Yes, that is corrosion cause by winter salt.

Pic #3 - That's just paint chipping off of the axle. No worse than any other undercarriage part. Nothing to worry about. Put some antiseize or some grease on the splines when you reassemble it.

Pic #4 - Yeah, that looks like the ball joint.

Woops, I did not put anything on the splines for the end of the axle shaft that went into the hub. The manual didnt even mention anything about that. It only said to put grease on the knuckle bore...

**Ranger** · #29 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 06:02 PM

Not a big deal if you didn't. Just makes it easier to remove again should you ever need to.

ewill3rd · #30 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 07:19 PM

Won't hurt to lube them or leave them dry either way. They just sit in mating splines to drive the vehicle. Like Ranger said, it's a "next time" sort of issue.

I learned the 1/2" socket trick the hard way. I have an old 6 point cheapo impact socket just for those and it works like a charm.
You would have to work with a 3/8" breaker but I am glad you got them off.
Better to use hand tools, I have seen guys get excited and burn through CV boots with impact tools in that space.