huh? why would you? The difference is leaving it attached to the outer shaft section, or not. It's just clumsier to manage when you are replacing the u-joint with it on than with it off. You still have to separate the hub from the knuckle to get the axle shaft out.

 

i was just thinking with the whole hub still attached to the shaft it would be awkward to manage. ive never been inside an axle yet, i wasnt sure how fragile the seal was

 

ok guys i have been beating the crap out of the hub for the last 3 hours. i have torched it. hammered it. used a chisle. i have taken the 3 bolts off the back. there arent more are there? i cant get it off. any advise will help

 

Does it have c clips? Axle will never come out if it has c clips and they are still in

 

it is not a c clip axle.

THe front axle you have to leave the bolts in with a few thread, use a socket extension to against the bolt and then shock mount and have someone crank the wheel. it will pop the hub off. if you dont get it by me writing it youtube it.

 

ya i heard of this method. im kinda scared though cuz i dont want that extention snapping and flying somewhere and taking someone out... ill look it up though. thanks

 

You wont have that issue and if you think you will dont have someone stand in front of it

 

ok sweet. its freaking freezing (-25) so im not sure if im gonna do it tonight or wait till tomoro...

 

If you have used a torch on the bearing make sure you buy a new one. Chances are you cooked the grease inside the bearing and will end up having to replace it shortly.

As for getting the hub out, as a few have suggested the best method I have found is to place a deep well socket on one of the side bolts that has been left threaded in about 1/4 of the way and then crank the wheel compressing the socket between the knuckle and the inside of the axle. This should start the process, then take a junk socket and place it on the opposite side bolt and hit it with a hammer to knock the hub out evenly.

 

I used a cold chisel and a BFH around the edge of the hub where it fits into the knuckle. It took about 10 minutes of hammering but it finally came loose. Socket trick didn't work for me.

 

I also used the Hammer and cold cheisel method. It messed up the dust sheild a bit but I just fixed that with a hammer, bent back to shape good enough.

 

I got it out with the extension trick. Thanks for the help guys