Hub assembly falling apart!!!!!!!!

[storlied]

My main concern is the axle nut and wether or not the hub assembly seized to the knuckle.. those two things could make this job go from an hour to.. who knows how long..

It'll get done one way or another, I just need the part.. I'm too impatient to let it not get done.. I need to be able to get to work, to make money, to buy mods. =P

 

[Blee1099]

My main concern is the axle nut and wether or not it seized to the knuckle.. those two things could make this job go from an hour to.. who knows how long..

Axle nut should be fine.. You'll need a 1.25" socket and probably a long breaker bar or what you can do is aim the socket or breaker bar down and drive forward or reverse to use the force to break it loose. To be honest, the only reason mine seized is cause of catastrophic failure. Mine was actually on fire.. Yours isn't.. lol..

 

[storlied]

True... those sparks just kinda freaked me out for a bit... but I had to get back..

 

[storlied]

How much would it cost a shop to change one of my rear bearings?


AFAIK, the differential has to be opened up to remove the axle.. I have absolutely no experience with differentials.. and I'm sure I'd prolly mess something up...

 

[gavin]

editing due to my stupidity of not reading.

a rear axle bearing would probably cost a couple hundred bucks.

It's easy. Only takes maybe an hour. But I would recommend doing it in a heated garage of sorts, so that the silicone can cure, as it won't cure so well in cold temps.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214805

oh, and I have done that in about -10*.
I've also changed cv axles at the same temp.

Wear lots of clothing, and don't stop moving around. It's not that bad.

 

[storlied]

Woah woah, I'm talking about the rear... isn't there a clip that holds the axle in?

 

[Alaskanredneck]

I know how cold it is there, i live in anchorage! If your not going to work on it yourself theres a shop up there called gt automotive go in talk to kent tell him your buddy scott at factory motorparts in anchorage sent you in for a good guy price, you never know it might be worth it to not have to work in the cold.

 

[storlied]

Money is tight and the vehicle would have to be towed... This bearing is hella bad...
I have no choice but to do this myself.. this is going to suck..

I hate how I'm the only Fairbanks member....
Although.. there are some pretty badass first gens rollin around here..

 

[IZwack]

So storlied -- baby dear, why dont we get that stuck hub off so that when the new one arrives, its a 25 minute ordeal and you're back on the road.

 

[storlied]

I can't leave the vehicle in the garage I'll be using, and I'm not jacking it up anywhere but in there... cuz everywhere else is hard packed snow and ice... doesn't seem very safe to me.. not very level of ground either..

 

[IZwack]

Gotcha dear

 

[gavin]

Woah woah, I'm talking about the rear... isn't there a clip that holds the axle in?

I edited my post to correct my lack of reading


and it really is a quick easy job.

10mm socket for caliper.
15mm(?) socked for caliper mounting bracket (you can even leave the caliper mounted, I did).
1.25" socket (or 32mm, but I never had a 32mm that worked) for axle nut.
15, 16, 17, 18mm (can't remember which) for the bearing.
3/4" socket for lug nuts.


With truck still on ground, get long breaker bar and brake the axle nut loose, and remove.
Loosen lug nuts.
Jack up and place jack stand.
Remove lugnuts and tire.
Remove caliper/caliper mounting bracket and hang out of the way with wire.
Disconnect ABS line from behind bumper. Remove ABS line from all frame-mounted clips.
Remove 3 bolts for bearing.
Replace bearing, then follow directions in reverse.

I'm able to change a half shaft in ~30-45 min at below 0*.
I could probably change another bearing in ~30 or less if I had to.

In a nice warm garage? I'd be done even quicker.

 

[storlied]

I wish this was a nice warm garage... it's unheated.. but it's better than being outside in the snow..

Since you know how it can get here... what has the risk of snapping in this cold for this hub assembly job? Caliper bolts is all I can think of...

I just hope getting the axle nut off isn't too much trouble because of the cold, I keep reading people having to torch them..

 

[gavin]

I never had any troubles getting the axle nut off.
Although there is some locktite on it.

I had just used a 1/2" drive wrench, and the handle from my floor jack as a breaker bar (about 3ft long).

But now I have a 3/4" drive torque wrench that I can use (although it is a bit shorter).

I don't think anything will snap. The caliper bolts should not be on that tight.
Although, I will say, the first time I replaced a bearing assy, I had ended up rounding a head of one of the bolts. Not terribly bad, and I ended up re-using it. 2nd time around, the bolts got replaced. But that's only because I'm pretty sure I was using the wrong size wrench (there's no room to get a socket in there, without removing the axle shaft)


and heck... I could deal with an unheated garage. Would beat the cold of the snow melting on your ass and hands, and the crisp breeze

 

[storlied]

You think a 3/8 drive would be up for the task? That's all I can get ahold of atm.

Man.. this is just the beginning... you guys don't even see -50 like we do... arg... I wanna move to anchorage... I'd never complain again about cold... lol... -20 give or take, as the coldest?.... That's perfect..

 

[gavin]

should be.
as long as you don't go jumping on the breaker bar or anything.

 

[storlied]

That's usually what I do for my lugs.....

 

[gavin]

we did have -60* with windchill down here a couple years ago
maybe more than a couple... can't remember exactly.

if a 3/8 is all you have to work with, then I guess it better work, right?
although ~200 lbs/ft and locktite will be hard on it.

 

[storlied]

Hmm... I hope I don't break it... it's not mine..

 

[Alaskanredneck]

Better pb the hell out of it first lol good luck hopefully its a craftsman wrench so you can swap it if it brakes