[Magickman]

I'm getting ready to replace my front hub assemblies, and reading through various write-ups, I see that a slide hammer is recommended to pull the hub (if it's stuck).

I went to Harbor Freight and found a few. Here's the link:

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...mmer&Submit=Go

Which one would be appropriate for the job?

Thanks!

p.s. - Does anyone know what Harbor Freight's return policy is? Just in case I don't actually need to use the slide hammer, I may want to return it.

[danw77]

I didn't need a slide hammer. I just unbolted the three bolts part way, put a socket on one, and tapped the socket with a hammer.

[Giviner]

x2 you shouldn't need a slide hammer to remove them.

Worst case, you can put your wheel back on and put the lugs on loosely and use that for a slide hammer effect.

[mhall02]

When I did the front hubs on my minivan, I bought a Timken (last time and recommend staying away from 'cheap' brands) from Autozone and used their free rental slide hammer. The last hub did not require a slide hammer, it came right off after the 3 bolts were taken off, but one of the other ones did, used this setup attached to the slide hammer:

http://www.autozone.com/R,1807718/st...ductDetail.htm

Didn't take much to get it off, so as others said, you may not need it.

[CJ7-Tim]

Remove the hubs like this -
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/unitbearing/unitbearing-1.htm

[sprintagogo]

Originally Posted by CJ7-Tim

Remove the hubs like this -
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/unitbearing/unitbearing-1.htm

That saved me about a thousand words! I was going to try to describe that technique. If you have the engine running you even have power assisted hub removal

The only difference was I used a large deep socket but any stout metal object of the appropriate size will suffice.

[Magickman]

Originally Posted by CJ7-Tim

Remove the hubs like this -
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/unitbearing/unitbearing-1.htm

Awesome!

Thanks!

-MM

[jeeper01]

Three jaw puller... If you have one laying around. Don't go buy tools just for this job. It is a very simple removal.

[rustedxj]

Autozone rents those if you need em

[CJ7-Tim]

Slide hammers and 3 jaw pullers are only for unit bearing/hubs that are bad will be replaced. Using these tools on good hubs for u-joint or axle shaft replacement runs a great risk of pulling the hub apart and ruining it.

The method in the link at stu off-road is preferred because it has an almost zero potential to damage a good re-useable unit bearing/hub.

[jeeper01]

You are correct CJ7-Tim. I should have posted that as well. But he did say for replacement. Thanks for the correction.

[Magickman]

Originally Posted by CJ7-Tim

Slide hammers and 3 jaw pullers are only for unit bearing/hubs that are bad will be replaced. Using these tools on good hubs for u-joint or axle shaft replacement runs a great risk of pulling the hub apart and ruining it.

The method in the link at stu off-road is preferred because it has an almost zero potential to damage a good re-useable unit bearing/hub.

Yes, I'm replacing my wheel hubs.

[Magickman]

Thanks to all for their input. I'm going to forgo purchasing a slide hammer for this job.

Thanks again!

-MM

[1offroadin4x4]

Ok....how bout this - what do you do when 1 or 2 of the 3 bolts holding the hub on breaks. I soaked the p*** outta everything w/ pb blaster and wd-40, tried an impact and air ratchet and nothing. Got out the old reliable breaker bar and started to go to town on those three bolts. 3 of the 6 broke. They wouldn't budge for nothing, now I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what to do. Worst case cenario, looks like I might have to remove the whole spindle and drill the bolts out. Anyone else had this problem and fixed it???