help, dang hubs

[LF_MN_71GMC]

I'm doing a brake job on a 71 gmc 4x4 half ton. The hubs look to be aftermarket (WARN) and in decent shape. I removed the hub cover and the snap ring but the gear won't slide off the splined shaft. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[shilo]

two screwdrivers to kind of grab it and pull it back?

[LF_MN_71GMC]

I tried using two screwdrivers and just can't seem to get it to go. Switched to seal picks and same thing, can't seem to get on the back of the outside gears.

[special-K]

Is there a large internal split ring between the lock out and inner hub?

[LF_MN_71GMC]

The only thing I can see is the gear on the splined shaft, then theres a washer (its not split or c clip style) behind the gear on the splined shaft. If I could just get the gear out then I could get to the internals where I have to use the "special hub removal socket".

The picture is just prior to me removing the snap ring.

[special-K]

I`m talking about on the outside of the lockout hub and inside of the hub that the rotor is attached to,the GM hub that the wheel bearings and races are in that the spindle goes through.Are you following me?In that last picture it would be outside of the six bolt holes.It`s been a while since I`ve worked on a 1/2t.But I think I remember a large,like 3",split ring keeping the hub from coming up.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Ok, I see what your saying. Maybe there's a split ring that holds the lockout hub inside the rotor hub. Sorry, I've been locked into the idea of getting that damn gear off and never thought the whole thing may come out as a unit. I'll take a look, thanks for the direction.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Yep, your absolutely right. Its there, split ring holding the entire lock out into the rotor hub. Any thoughts on getting that out of there? I can push the lockout hub in about 1/4" and I'm sure I can get it with a screwdriver and some strategic swearwords but if there's a better way I'm open to suggestions? Thanks again, I was losing my mind.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Thanks Special K, I got it out of there and now have to get the socket to remove the rest of the internals. Used a seal pick and a screwdriver.

[special-K]

That`s exactly what I used,a pick.I`m glad I could help.my memory is fuzzy on it,but I think I had the same frustration you just went though the last time I went to pull a 1/2t hub.It`s hard to see,huh?

[OLDCHEV4X4]

You might want to remove the brake caliper before you loosen the bearing nuts.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Old Chev4x4, I did exactly that. I can see that if i hadn't things would have been a mess. I have the hub off now and am just trying to get the inner seal out(spindle side). I didn't see an outter seal. My haynes manual is a nice larger weight used for spilling coffee on for this project.

[special-K]

the more grease you smear on that Haynes manual the more helpful it`ll get.Once you can`t read anything,they`re not all that bad of a manual.There is no outer seal.i always knock out the race and clean/inspect the inner bearing while I`m into it.I`ve never just taken the seal out.wipe all the old grease out and the back side of the race is the last step/edge at the bottom as you look down through the hub from the outer side.Take a long drift punch and tap your way side to side from 12 o`clock,to 6,to 3,to 9,and on.You`ll feel it give and start moving.You can check movement by seeing if the seal is coming out the backside.Just be careful to not damage the race.it`s not so back removing,mostly tapping the race back in the same way.I just place the punch against the hub at a slight angle so the energy goes a bit outward and never had a problem.
I hope I`m not telling you what you already know.Just covering all the bases.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Special K, I picked up a set of new inner and outter bearings for both sides. I figure what the hell, I'm in here already. I'm about to head out there, I was going to try to get the seal out first and then the bearing but if I can get away with just tapping the race from the outside (and getting everything at one shot)I'm going to do it that way. Thanks, I'll let you know what happens.

[special-K]

That`s the way to do it.To just remove the seal you need a special seal puller.I`ve never owned one.I`ve never pulled a seal I reused.You won`t regret getting new bearings.The original bearing will last forever,if properly maintained.That`s a big "if".You`ll know what you`ve got,at least.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

So I popped that bearing out of there in about the same amount of time it took my neighbors to come over and complain about the hammering. I'm looking at the remaining parts to take out and (once again haynes is worthless here) I'm wondering what all I have to transfer to the new rotor. Looks like I need to remove the wheel studs and the whole hub. Any good experience you can drop on me for getting this thing apart special k?

[special-K]

Well,the studs do have to come out.The "proper" way is with a press.I`ve pounded them out.It takes alot.Doesn`t hurt to soak them with your favorite penetrating oil for awhile.A good way is to put the lug on almost all the way tight,leaving just about 1/8".Once the stud moves and the lug sits tight on the hub,back the it off and do it again.It will get easier until you can use a droft punch,that`s either a soft one,like bronze,or has a smaller tip than the stud diameter.
To put it all together just line the splines up,tap the studs in,and finish up with using the lugs to draw the studs up tight.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Excellent, another fine design by General Motors. Haha, well I'll give it a shot and see what happens. Thanks again.

[2tons of fun]

hammer, brass punch, hit like a man, not a design fail.

as far as the seal goes, you do not need the specail tool, either use a pair of pry bars and pop it out or remove the outer bearing put the hub back on the spindle, pu tone of the spindle nuts back on and slide the hub off the spindle. it wil pop the seal right off.

[LONGHAIR]

There is another way to remove the seal....with no tools at all.
Simply remove the entire hub/rotor Assembly, fish out the outer bearing and them slide the hub/rotor back onto the spindle w/o the outer bearing. Then start one of the wheel bearing nuts back onto the spindle. Now pull the to rotor outward toward you....there will be a few inches of travel because of the missing outer bearing. It works somewhat like a slide-hammer. The inner bearing will force it out.

[justcuz]

The outer seal is the O ring on the outside of the hub. It should set against the split ring as I recall. The split ring you removed on the outside of the hub body should have been round as I recall. When you reinstall it it should just be pushed in with a screwdriver until it sets into the recess inside the hub. Then your snap ring to hold the axle into the hub body. Lube the outer part of the hub before you install it, especially around the O ring. Then put your six allen head bolts on and your done. The hub and rotor are supposed to be tight, like every one says a press is much nicer in removing the studs.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Ya, I popped those studs out with a couple whacks of a hammer (on the lug). Thing came apart pretty easily. I put the hub on the new rotor and am drawing it up on the studs with the lugs. I'm done for awhile today, going to the Twins game. Thanks for the advice on this stuff. 'Justcuz' I think my o-ring disintegrated on removal, ideas on finding a replacement?

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by LF_MN_71GMC

So I popped that bearing out of there in about the same amount of time it took my neighbors to come over and complain about the hammering. ?

Do that in my neighborhood and you get handed a hammer to help. Someone is always beating on something within earshot. Dozen times a day it gets drowned out by the F-15's taking off on afterburner, love that sound of freedom. Sound like you are getting it taken care of.

[special-K]

^ Yeah,your neighbor should go buy 500 acres of dense forest and build a house in the middle of it.He still can`t get away from the F-15s.
Around here,quiet time is 10pm-6am.If noises are excessive and created by activities that are non-compliant with zoning,I guess a zoning complaint can be filed.last time I checks (figure of speak,never checked) America had a little thing called freedom which accounts for the right we have to repair/maintain our own possessions.Like running a lawn mower,leaf blower,or weed-whacker.

[LF_MN_71GMC]

Hey guys, looks like I'm almost finished with the job. Driver's side took me a week, what with all the pictures and writing notes and asking for advice. Passenger side took an hour. I'm putting a procedure on here, feel free to let me know if i missed anything.