I am trying to replace my axle u joints, but i can not get the hub off. I have beat it as much as I am comfortable with a hammer, pb blasted the crap out of it, but it still won't budge. Anybody else have this problem? My u joint is shot and really needs replacing.

 

put a long socket in it and turn the wheel back and forth

 

Put it where?

 

 

put it there

 

it's hard to explain. but what you wanna do is take the top bolt out but leave the two bottom bolts threaded in about half way.
then what i do is use an old ratchet with the 12 point socket on the bolt and turn the steering wheel until the ratchet comes into contact with the axle c.
then using the force of the steering wheel, turn it very hard and the ratchet/socket will push on the bolt and pop the bearing free.
you may need to put the ratchet/socket on the other bottom bolt and do the same.
it will come off. i have used this method many times with our rusted canadian bolts and never had a hard time doing it.

sometimes starting the jeep to have power steering makes it easier, but i've done it both ways.

cheers.

 

Thanks guys! I will try this tomorrow and let you know the results.

 

I just got done doing this yesterday, I had to get a chisel and sharpen it so I could get a bite in between the too pieces, then I beat the thing in there and final separated, I tried breaker bar, beating on it with a hammer, I put the chisel in and it started to separate, good luck

 

If doing the socket trick doesn't work you are screwed my friend. I have seen that work on more unit bearings than you would believe. ZERO effort on even the rustiest of axles.

 

i wrecked my power steering pump by doing that socket trick but mine was bad, had to use an angle grinder and a chisel

 

I would bet having a tire against a curb puts more stress on the steering pump than doing this. I know its not anywhere near the stress of turning when the tire is pinched in the rocks.

 

I cant imagine the socket being hard on the steering pump at all. It just puts the pressure in the right spot at the right time. I agree, this has worked on some really nasty bearings for me in the past

 

finally got around to doing it. using the steering to push the hub off worked like a champ. It still took 2 hours to press, drill, and grind out the old u-joints though. But Im finished. I probably should have put the brake shield back on. Maybe later. Too hot to mess with it today. Thanks for the help!!

 

I left both of my brake shields off also. I always got crap stuck in them making noise.