Andy505

Hello all, need your help, i am replacing my ball joints on my truck and cant get the hubs loose from the steering knuckle, have the 4 bolts removed and hub wont budge, any tips? thanks

infidel

Put two of the four bolts back in partially, leave the big center nut on, broken loose but tight. Use either a deep socket or a regular socket with a short extension on one of the two rear bolts and with the engine running have someone turn the steering wheel while you wedge the socket in-between the bolt and steering stop. You may have to switch to the other bolt if the first one doesn't break it. Turn the steering hard if necessary. The reason for leaving the big nut tight is so the bearing doesn't get broken in half.
Built in hydraulic press, this gets it every time.

Andy505

Thanks for the tip, but that hub must be rusted pretty bad, it doesnt budge, w/the truck on and aid of power steering, i am pulling as hard as i can on the steering wheel and nothing happeneds. I feel like if i pull any harder i am going to break the tie-rod end or something else. Any other tips greatly appriciated.

cville6

Mine was rusted pretty bad and the "hydraulic press" thing didn't work either. Bad part is now my steering box now leaks power steering fluid. I had to start with a thin gasket scraper behind the hub then a thicker chisel to get it off. This with about a gallon of WD40 did the trick. Good Luck!

P.O.R.

when you do get it off make sure to clean up surfaces and put anti sieze on eveything that you would like to take apart easily next time...

Pats98SLT

Hi Andy,
I had the same problem when my anti-lock sensor went bad. My solution was to loosen all four bolts put the tire back on and go for a ride. Use the weight of that truck with a couple of turns and that should do it. You' ll know when its free just by picking up the front end. I was replacing the whole hub assemby including the four bolts.

Good Luck,

Pat

infidel

Very surprised about the leak as this method places no additional stress on the the system as it does when you to steer to the limit one way or the other. The relief valve in the PS pump should protect against any damage.

WildBill

An air hammer on slightly loosened bolts works wonders!

kawiram

I'm not sure about a socket, but put a fairly decent sizes hammer against the end of the axle tube and then turn the wheel to where the knuckle (I think i'm not lookin at it) hits it.

Andy505

Well fella's thanks for all of the tips, but none of them seem to work, the hub is stuck, its like I haven't even removed the bolts. Currently I have all four bolts loose and have driven around like that since last night, I checked the hub when I got home from work, still rusted tight. So I went for another drive, ran over all sorts of bumps, curbs and tree stumps trying to put as much pressure on the hub as i can, still tight. What do I do!!!!! I am about to cut the knuckle in pieces and replace both the hub and the knuckle. Or sit my truck in front of a train and collect insurance.

farmer dave

Have you tried putting pressure on it and having someone hit it hub with a bfh? If that doesn't work try adding some heat to the equation, you said that you were going to replace the hub anyways, it wouldn't hurt anything.

Crimedog

Mine was rusted up really bad. I had to have a trusting helper hod the socket on the bolt head with a pliers and the only thing that could get it to budge was a few shots at the bolt head with a long sledge hammer. Just screw the bolts in until there is a 1/4" gap and pound away. I pounded on it with a 32 oz hammer forever, it just took 2 solid wacks with the 5 pound sledge That and a whole "value size" can of WD 40.

infidel

Try soaking it a a "real" penetrating oil such as PB Blaster or Kroil for a few days before trying again.
WD-40 is not penetrating oil.

Andy505

Well fella's I finally got the hub loose tonight, after hours of hammering and using the power steering as a hydraulic press trick. Then I put it back together so i can drive to work tomorrow, I am going to change the ball joints this weekend. Once I get the drivers side done, I will start on the passengers side. Thanks for your help.

-Andy