Axle shaft stuck in hub - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

RichUK · 10-15-2023, 09:42 AM

I'm tying to change my rear wheel bearings, passenger side came apart easily enough, but on the drivers side the axle shaft is stuck in the bearing. I've tried a puller, a sledge hammer, heat, penetrating oil, the works. It's not moving.

Any ideas on where to go next with this?

soundman98 · 10-15-2023, 09:48 AM

big prybar with a big hammer?

sometimes, more violence is the answer.

RichUK · 10-15-2023, 09:51 AM

The end of the axle is already pretty deformed, I'm not even sure it's saveable at this point, but I don't really want to keep hitting it.

whataboutbob · 10-15-2023, 05:50 PM

Make sure you remove the wheel speed sensors from the knuckle first so you don't damage them, speaking from experience.

Spairo · 10-15-2023, 09:35 PM

I used one of these:

OMT Front Wheel Hub Puller Flange Type Tool for 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 Inch IDs, Universal Hub and Axle Puller with 5/8"-18 Forcing Bolt and Sleeve, FWD Hub Installer and Remover Tool with Socket https://a.co/d/3eC0iln

on a very stuck driver's side axle. I used lot's of penetrating oil and cranked down as much pressure on this puller as I dared. I would then smack the end of the drive screw with a large ball peen hammer. After a smack or two, I would crank as much as I could on the tool, maybe a 1/16th of a turn at most. I would walk away for a while (1/2 hour) and then return and repeat, max pressure, smack with hammer, tighten more. At some point I went to bed with the tool in place and under pressure. The next, after a couple more smacks, the screw turned 1/8th of a turn. At that point, I rapidly repeated tighen and smack with each cycle turning the tool more and more until it all came loose.

The whole thing was frustrating as hell, but got me out with deformation or other complications.

Go fast, take chances.

RichUK · 10-16-2023, 05:29 AM

That's more or less what I've been trying amongst other things - I've actually managed to peen over the end of the puller through hitting it though so it'll barely take a socket. I'm going to try a hydraulic puller next I think.

cueball89 · 10-16-2023, 06:23 AM

I've used this on stuck brake rotors, never had a stuck axle though. If that doesn't work removing the hub with axle and pressing it out may be an option. A 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF fluid is a penetrating mix I sometimes use in difficult situations. Anecdotal but I've removed some ball joint pinch bolts that I thought I would have to drill out.

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-ton-...7&gad_source=1

Ultramaroon · 10-16-2023, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cueball89

I've used this on stuck brake rotors, never had a stuck axle though. If that doesn't work removing the hub with axle and pressing it out may be an option. A 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF fluid is a penetrating mix I sometimes use in difficult situations. Anecdotal but I've removed some ball joint pinch bolts that I though I would have to drill out.

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-ton-...7&gad_source=1

^^^ this ^^^ If you intend to reuse the shaft, spin the nut over the end to keep from mushrooming it.

RichUK · 10-16-2023, 01:24 PM

I got a very similar puller today, rated to 15 tons, and cranked it to max. The bearing is free, it fought the whole way out. So I guess than answer was more force.

10-15-2023, 09:42 AM	#1
RichUK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: Toyota GT86 Location: UK Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Axle shaft stuck in hub I'm tying to change my rear wheel bearings, passenger side came apart easily enough, but on the drivers side the axle shaft is stuck in the bearing. I've tried a puller, a sledge hammer, heat, penetrating oil, the works. It's not moving. Any ideas on where to go next with this?

10-15-2023, 09:48 AM	#2
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,327 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,676 Times in 6,782 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s)	big prybar with a big hammer? sometimes, more violence is the answer. __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

10-16-2023, 06:23 AM	#7
cueball89 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Drives: 15 Impreza Location: NY Posts: 168 Thanks: 66 Thanked 78 Times in 52 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	I've used this on stuck brake rotors, never had a stuck axle though. If that doesn't work removing the hub with axle and pressing it out may be an option. A 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF fluid is a penetrating mix I sometimes use in difficult situations. Anecdotal but I've removed some ball joint pinch bolts that I thought I would have to drill out. https://www.harborfreight.com/5-ton-...7&gad_source=1 Last edited by cueball89; 10-16-2023 at 08:17 PM.

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10-15-2023, 09:51 AM	#3
RichUK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: Toyota GT86 Location: UK Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	The end of the axle is already pretty deformed, I'm not even sure it's saveable at this point, but I don't really want to keep hitting it.

10-15-2023, 09:35 PM	#5
Spairo Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Drives: 2013 FR-S 6 spd in Halo Location: San Diego Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 79 Times in 41 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	I used one of these: OMT Front Wheel Hub Puller Flange Type Tool for 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 Inch IDs, Universal Hub and Axle Puller with 5/8"-18 Forcing Bolt and Sleeve, FWD Hub Installer and Remover Tool with Socket https://a.co/d/3eC0iln on a very stuck driver's side axle. I used lot's of penetrating oil and cranked down as much pressure on this puller as I dared. I would then smack the end of the drive screw with a large ball peen hammer. After a smack or two, I would crank as much as I could on the tool, maybe a 1/16th of a turn at most. I would walk away for a while (1/2 hour) and then return and repeat, max pressure, smack with hammer, tighten more. At some point I went to bed with the tool in place and under pressure. The next, after a couple more smacks, the screw turned 1/8th of a turn. At that point, I rapidly repeated tighen and smack with each cycle turning the tool more and more until it all came loose. The whole thing was frustrating as hell, but got me out with deformation or other complications. Go fast, take chances.

10-16-2023, 05:29 AM	#6
RichUK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: Toyota GT86 Location: UK Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	That's more or less what I've been trying amongst other things - I've actually managed to peen over the end of the puller through hitting it though so it'll barely take a socket. I'm going to try a hydraulic puller next I think.

10-16-2023, 01:24 PM	#9
RichUK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: Toyota GT86 Location: UK Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	I got a very similar puller today, rated to 15 tons, and cranked it to max. The bearing is free, it fought the whole way out. So I guess than answer was more force.

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