I've a 2500 HD (2004), and need to remove both front hubs to replace the U-joints in the axles. Now, I'm not new at this, I installed both hubs when they failed a few years ago. I cannot break them loose from the knuckle! Loosened the four bolts, took off the brakes and rotor, but I can't convince them to move! (Either side, the left has been on for about four years, the right only a couple.) Any thoughts or suggestions? I hate to destroy the hubs since I think they're still good, but I'm getting tired of whacking with the stupid hammer!

 

They rust in the knuckle. Just bang then out with a heavy hammer. I did mine last week and they suck. When they do start to seperate spray wd-40 or some thing like that to help break up the rust and just work at it. When you put them back in just clean them up (bearing and knucke) with sand paper and lighty greese them so next time they will come out easer. While your at it do the upper and lower b-joints too. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Or just get a few bolts that are long enough to thread in.. Put a socket on the head and use the power steering to push the hub out.. Thats how I do the hubs on my 1500 and 2500... Beats pounding on them forever and not getting anywhere.. Also like stated when doing the reassembly put some grease on there to keep the rust from building back up.

 

All efforts, even got the tool to remove them, failed. I've given up for the time being (need the truck) and in a couple of months, I'll cut off the ball joints and remove the hub and the knuckle so I can get the entire thing on the workbench instead of sitting on the lift. Heck, replacing the ball joints would be a good idea anyway... I won't do this now because if something goes wrong, I don't want the truck laid up for too long. I've whacked, rattled and they just are not coming off! Damned rust!

 

Nehog,

I hate to say this, but you mght be time and in the end money ahead if you just figure on rebuilding the front end. I started out to do the same thing on mine a few years ago, when the front axle u-joints were shot, 3 days and several hundred dollars later and the job was done. I ended up driving into work on a sunday and borrowed a 4' three fingered puller and actually pulled the hubs apart trying to get them out, then I cut the top ball joint to drop the knuckle, which allowed me to wail on them with a 5lb sledge, which took all of 5 minutes when I could do it right. Also, go to the parts store and get a can of "Gold" never seize and make the knuckle bore for the hubs look like fort knox, it will work much easier next time.

Also, you may want to pick up 2 new axle seals, they are located just on either side of the diff gears-------yes that far in the axle housing, it isn't hard to cut one of them when you're sliding the axles in or out, I got lucky, and I have 2 spare seals on the shelf for next time.

 

use ant-seize in the new bearing. where it sits in the knuckle

 

That was exactly what I was thinking too... Probably as soon as I know it won't snow (I plow with this truck) and I can keep it laid up for a while (I'm a slow worker!) I'm just going to replace everything.

And yes, much more anti-seize this time.