Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear Axle -- Hub won't come off

I have a spare HO72 axle here that I am trying to scavenge the Huck brakes from without disassembling them (still attached to the backing plate). I removed the axles and got one side off (hub off, backing plate bolts removed, easy peesy). But still, the rule that "It's never easy" is inviolate -- on the other side, after getting the axle out, the castellated nuts off, etc, the hub will not come off -- it won't come past the threads on the end of the axle tube. It seems like the bearings are catching on the threads. I tried jerking it a few times and then quit before I did real damage (wanted to save the hubs and bearing if I could).

I've done this exact same procedure on 4 HO72 axles so far and this is the first time to run into this issue. What am I doing wrong here? Or what gives?

Thanks,
John

Perhaps the bearing spun on the spindle, wearing a groove. Does the bearing move at all, or does it appear to be stuck in one position?

Ed

Ed, It moves a little (quarter inch? ) out to about where the threads start. There's a slight catch there I can jerk it over. And then it slams to a stop. At this point, I'm just trying to get the brakes parts and backing plate. I don't need the hubs, bearings or the axle housing itself. So if I have to destroy them to get it apart, oh well. I'm trying not to, but this is rapidly approaching the point of becoming "Too Hard" and the whole mess may go to scrap.

The bearing itself spins around the tube just fine.

I had taken the other side apart and the hub just about slid off the tube on its own -- took about 10 minutes. Did this side same way and I am on the second hour of screwing with it. I tried putting a wrecking bar on the back side (between the backing plate bolts and the back side dust cover/seal) and that didn't accomplish anything except to destroy the dust seal and probably bugger up the back side of the hub. As I seem to be the only person on the planet who is collecting Huck brake parts for a one ton, and I already have two sets, I may just call it quits and scrap this whole mess.

Not the same scenario but, I had trouble removing the front wheels from my 42 big bolt (hub centered). I ended up using a small porta power very gently going back and forth (side to side) . Took awhile but it worked and caused no damage.

John

If you're encountering a hard stop, not just a tight spot, there's probably a step worn in the load tube that one of the bearings is hanging up on. I'd suggest using a big 3-jaw puller to grab the hub flange equally, and use a 1/2" drive socket slightly smaller than the OD of the load tube threads for the puller jack screw to push against. That way you can apply even pressure all the way around the hub instead of getting it skewed sideways with a pry bar. Once you've got some moderate pressure applied to the hub, massage it a little with a hammer to help it jump over the worn spot. With enough pressure on the puller screw (impact wrench), the hub will come off and leave the inner bearing and seal on the load tube. Either way, you get the hub off more or less in one piece.
Jerry

Have you backed the brakes off. The drums may be grooved & not passing over the shoes.
George

Thanks George -- The drum came off very easy. Now I am trying to get the hub off and out of the way so I can remove the brakes as one unit (and still attached to the backing plate). Makes them easier to store.

I'll try what you all have suggested -- Thanks!

JM