Front Hub Assembly Swap?

[BigAirSkier1580]

I am swapping my PS Front side Hub Assembly this weekend due to a bad wheel bearing.

I don't have a shop manual around, and am in a pinch to find one.

Anyone know the procedure for swapping the hub assembly? Any special things I should know? and MOST importantly, any special tools that I need??

 

[ACM]

Ugh...

Firstly, you can safely assume that the axle is bonded into the hub for life. There's an outside possibility it will come out, based on the number I've done I'd say the odds are about 15:1. Spray everthing with PBBlaster or ZQ several times over several days before starting this job. This is a 12 year-old car that saw less than a microgramme of grease/anti-sieze/corrosion protection on the entire collection of parts from the factory. These fasteners are bonded at the molecular level, it makes superglue look Post-It note glue. If you could bottle this and sell it you'd make millions.


Remove the nut, if there's anything left of it. You probably have a large lump of rust where the nut used to be, so a wire brush and Dremel are most likely the appropriate tools for removal. If you find something that still looks like a nut, a 32mm socket fitted when Mitsu fitted it.

Try and push the axle out. You can beat on it with a hammer, but most likely you'll mushroom the end of the shaft so that the nut will never go back on there, so bear that in mind when choosing your weapon. An air chisel may dislodge it with minimal damage, also an hydraulic puller, ~5 ton, may work as well. I have had several sitting overnight on a 20 ton press without budging, so don't be surprised if it just smiles sweetly back at you...Personally I'd order an axle with the hub - you can always return it or sell it on.

If the axle doesn't come out, use a grinder/sawzall to remove/reduce the diameter of the CV cup on the back side of the hub - be really careful if you have ABS. Remove the CV boot, obviously, and hopefully when you push the hub/CV joint out the axle shaft will pop out of the CV - there's a retaining clip around the end of the axle, it can be as clingy as a 3 week old puppy, though not as cute. If it refuses to let go, pop the axle out of the tranny (same retaining clip, same problem), slide the whole assembly half way out, then lay into the CV/hub with a big hammer - unless it's a Raxles axle it should pop right off.

Getting the hub out. There are 4 bolts; they may come out, they may snap - either way they'll release their hold on the hub. Order a set of these bolts with your hub - you'll feel really stupid if you don't...Now to get the upright to release its grip. Two obvious options - a big slide hammer from the outside, attached to the wheel studs, or an air chisel from behind (there's not much to hammer on but lots to damage - be careful). If this won't get the hub off you'll need to remove the upright and hammer/press it out. I have not failed so far with the air chisel/ slide hammer - it helps immensely if you've already sacrificed the axle, then the air chisel is a snap.

Reassembly. Lots of anti-sieze, everywhere, on everything. Clean (wire brush) all the contacting surfaces until they're nice and shiney. Draw the hub into the upright using the bolts - they will centre the hub, centering it after tapping it home is quite difficult.

That's it. Easy really

 

[BigAirSkier1580]

Well, I'm not tto scared of rust. The same bearing was done 2 years ago, and came out quite easily for that time.

Thanks for the info though.

:tup:

 

[BigAirSkier1580]

Did it today. Everyhting was pretty easyl All the bolts came out relatively easy. The hardest part was getting the upright to let go of hub assembly. Some pounding and forcing it out go it out cleanly though.

PB Blaster and force. Got the job done. All is well.

 

[xspsi4]

. oops