Front Hub Stuck - Any Tips?

[Rivernut]

The front hub on my '03 Vue (V6 AWD ABS) has resisted a 15 pound sledge, a 5 pound sledge driven chisle, drift punch and penetrating oil. I have been whaling on it for 2 hours, hitting it as hard as I can. The shim with the wire holder is getting destroyed along the perimeter. I can barely type this because my arms and hands are so tired. I am pretty limited to hitting it on the top bolt flange because there is so little room and the hub flange does not stick out enough as a target for the hammer. I have a dent pulling impact hammer, should I hook that to the studs and try that? Is there a such thing as a hub puller? I have a small propane torch, but no acetylene. Any advice?

[IMkenNY]

There are heavy duty hub pullers that push against the floating axel shaft. I havnt had much luck with the slidehammer on the seized hubs.

At this point I would recommend removing the strut/ knuckle as a unit and pound it out from the back side now that the axel would be out of the way.

I ran into a tough one two weeks ago, the steel to aluminum corrosion was unbelievable. After I got it out I cleaned up the knuckle bore with sandpaper and the new one slide in with ease

[Tom92SCm]

I'm not too familiar with the VUE's design, but if you put the wheel back on, tightened down 3 or lug nuts and then kicked the edges of the wheel/tire to provide a moment about the hub- would that work?

[BobbyP]

I'm not too familiar with the VUE's design, but if you put the wheel back on, tightened down 3 or lug nuts and then kicked the edges of the wheel/tire to provide a moment about the hub- would that work?

Use the tire as a lever... Brilliant...

[Rivernut]

The tire thing did not work. I didn't think it would since it has too much give (air compresses) when a sharp blow is needed to break it free. I did manage to mangle some of the knuckle. The flange for the upper bolt actually bent some as I wedged a chisle all the way down into the bolt passage. I had read here that it is okay to whale on this as you will be replacing it anyway, and it will eventually come loose. That is fine if you have a tow truck to bring it somewhere to be fixed after the destruction. I'm 200 pounds and I chop 4 cords of firewood each winter with a sledge and wedge, and this hub was not about to come loose. I am satisfied after 8 hours to have it back together in driveable form. I'm bringing it to the local shop which employes some of the mechanics from the defunct Saturn of Hadley, MA dealership.

[ssicarman]

If the axle is free from the hub then remove the steering kuckle and get the bearing pressed out. We are begining to see VUEs from high salt areas that are more than troublesome for this. We have seen one where the axles, bearings and knuckles had to be replaced, both front sides.

[Tom92SCm]

The tire thing did not work. I didn't think it would since it has too much give (air compresses) when a sharp blow is needed to break it free.

That's probably why I would kick the edge of the wheel.

[Bigdaddy94sc2]

While I dont blame ya for giving in after that long, when I have to replace one at work, I use it as therapy. Some guys at work say it is like watching a boxer with a small bag.... I get going so quick..... Fun stuff.

Have yet to remove a knuckle to get one out! With the salt around here, they can get nasty too.... I always make sure to clean up the knuckle, and actually use some silicone to keep it from getting stuck as quick and to help it go in easier.

[Rivernut]

I hit the rim and tire with some kicks. The edge of the rim is only about 5" farther out from where all of the hammering was going on. Not much leverage there. I brought it into the local shop and they got it off because they could hammer on it from the bottom and back-side which I could not do with it on a jack stand. They had it on a lift. My pit couldn't help me there. He said that they sometimes have to use an air chisle on them. I did not want to ruin anything and was happy to pay the $135 removal and installation fee. No more ABS light. Cool.

[Bigdaddy94sc2]

I forgot that that would make a difference. Every one that I have done has been on a lift..... Good call and heckuva try my friend!

[pgreen]

Just did my LF hub today. Second one on my 06 RL Vue on that corner. First was under warranty, this one wasn't. I'm at 62K miles now. So I did it myself.

Dealer wanted about $450 (installed), NAPA wanted $180 for the part, got the part wholesale for $108! Whee-heee! :tounge:

Things went fine, but mine was stuck too. We put a 2-jaw puller on the hub, pushing against the stub axle, then used an air chisel with a thin, sharp, wide blade to seperate the hub from the steering knuckle / upright. Took a while, but eventually it worked loose. What a PAIN! :upset:

What do the Saturn techs use to rip these things out? Has to be a better way. I did use some anti-seize between the steel hub / aluminum upright this time.

Phil