URGENT HELP NEEDED, rear knuckle removal

[DeviLSh]

In the process of replacing my rear wheel bearings and cant seem to get the axle out of knuckle. (or the kncukle away from the car without bringing the axle with) We have tried using a bearing puller and it woudlnt work. Anyone who has done this know? Ir anyone that has a shop manual or something....

Any help is appreciated....

-Devin

 

[Barwick]

In the process of replacing my rear wheel bearings and cant seem to get the axle out of knuckle. (or the kncukle away from the car without bringing the axle with) We have tried using a bearing puller and it woudlnt work. Anyone who has done this know? Ir anyone that has a shop manual or something....

Any help is appreciated....

-Devin

On other cars, I've used a slide hammer puller. Basically, you figure out however way you can to get the slide hammer onto the knuckle, and put a small piece of metal on the axle (so you don't mushroom it). Crank the center screw down HARD on the axle (the steel on the axle that is), and once that's tight, start yanking on the slide hammer. Pull it two or three times, re-tighten the screw, pull another few times, re-tighten it, etc... eventually it'll come out, and you won't have to hammer and mushroom your axle.

Edit: most of the screws on slide hammer pullers have a point on the end, so you may have to drill a little hole in the center of your piece of steel for that point to go into.

 

[owlman]

I have most of the 06 service manual online, see if this helps SECTION 204-02: Rear Suspension

 

[DeviLSh]

I guess I can try that... any other ideas? or anyone that has done it on the LS, if not slidehammer it is...

 

[mharrison]

Did you remove the axle nut?

You may need to hit the wheel end of the axle shaft (where the nut was) with a hammer. (I know the manual says don't do this, but I'm not buying the factory tools) I had to pop mine with a small 2 lb sledge hammer a couple of times to get it loose from the hub. A sharp blow(with a hammer) rather than a steady pull (with a puller) seems to do better at loosening stuck parts.

If you have the hub all unbolted and this seems to be holding it on, you will need to bolt the knuckle back on until it won't move, then use the hammer as described above. Just make sure you don't hurt the threads.

 

[mharrison]

Also, a sharp blow on the end of the center shaft of the puller while it is tightened down may accomplish the same thing.

Just remember when using a hammer on either the shaft or the puller, you are just trying to pop it loose with a sharp blow, not drive it out of the hub!

I used the hammer directly on my axle shaft end as I've done this on countless FWD cars over the years. They are made of VERY hard metal and the joints have more room than you think for expansion/contractions. I've never hurt any of those, or my LS using this method.

 

[nickandersonLS01]

rubber mallet for the win.

 

[DeviLSh]

I just rented a slide hammer, ill try bolting it up and then goin at it. Hope this works.

Did you have any other trouble regarding the pressing? Did you have to get new HUBS?

 

[DeviLSh]

this is a bitch. I dont know if im just retarded but I still cant get her loose. I need a nap first maybe. I dont want to hit the axle too hard, but the knuckle doesnt seem to be getting free from the axle-shaft at all...

Changine bearings on an LS For the lose!

 

[Barwick]

this is a bitch. I dont know if im just retarded but I still cant get her loose. I need a nap first maybe. I dont want to hit the axle too hard, but the knuckle doesnt seem to be getting free from the axle-shaft at all...

Changine bearings on an LS For the lose!

Yeah, my LS was tough as crap to get anything fixed on it (try doing the front hub and bearing, which "isn't a press fit"... BS it's not a press fit, the shop had to put it in a 20 ton press)

Anyhow, just tighten the slide hammer down tight onto the lug studs (to pull on), and then tighten the crap out of that center screw, it'll put a good amount of force onto the axle, pushing it away from you while pulling the hub towards you.

Also make sure you've lubed the crap out the axle with some rust buster.

I would not try hitting the axle with a hammer, contrary to whatever others say. It sounds like it's stuck on pretty good, and every one I've had that was stuck on pretty good, I've mushroomed, and had to take a dremel to file down the tip of it.