Hub Help

[frozen chosen]

I am trying to check and lube the bearings ('04 16'). I've removed the wheel, cotterpin, nut, and outer bearings. But the hub will only move towards me a half inch before it seems to bind on something. I have wiggled and moved it without results. I started to pry it with a screwdriver but stopped after hearing a sound I didn't like. What is going on? Could the brake pads be engaged and preventing the hub from moving down the spindle? Its always something....

[Pick]

There is probably a ridge worn on the edge of the drums. Try backing off the brake shoe adjustment, so the hub will slide past the ridge.

[Tarheel]

you can back off, turn downward from the brake adjusting slot, by using a screwdriver. A brake "spoon" is inexpensive and makes the job much easier. I have found some of my brake adjusters to be frozen and had to use a pipe wrench and a vise to get them to move. It will come off.

[frozen chosen]

The spoked wheel on the adjuster seems to move fine. I've backed it all the way off, the hub spins, but it still is stuck. If I grab the hub with both hands and pull towaards me, it comes an inch or less then clanks to a halt. I've beat it with a rubber mallet and noticed some rust coming out, but otherwise everything seems ok.

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by frozen chosen

The spoked wheel on the adjuster seems to move fine. I've backed it all the way off, the hub spins, but it still is stuck. If I grab the hub with both hands and pull towaards me, it comes an inch or less then clanks to a halt. I've beat it with a rubber mallet and noticed some rust coming out, but otherwise everything seems ok.

I think the guys are correct. The brake shoes are holding the drum on.
You'll just have to be more assertive. Try putting gentle outward pressure on the drum and tapping. You can put a hub puller on it and work on it slowly.

[Tarheel]

Well being a good ole boy and a shade tree mechanic without all of the modern day resources and finances I will sheepishly tell you how I would remove it. Note that this method is not necessarily OSHA approved.
A 3 or 4 finger wheel/ hub puller its the accepted way of removal.
1. A piece of chain run thru the wheel/rim and over a piece of steel or 2x4 leaving enough space for a bottle jack to be placed against the 2x4 and the axel.
2. Tighten the jack slowly until pressure is against the 2x4 make sure you feel reasonalble resistance.
3. If the wheel doesn't move give it a sharp blow with a heavy machinist hammer.
4. This should cause the wheel to move and make the jack loose.
5. repeat steps 2-3 until wheel is off.
this is not sophisticated but it works

[markdoane]

Before you try the hub puller arrangement, try slapping the drum back and forth (in-and-out) on the spindle several times.

Sometimes it's just the inner bearing is tight on the spindle, and if you slap the drum back and forth, you will pop the seal out. Don't be afraid to slap it hard a few times.