Removing Hubs & Drive Pully From Tranny

[chesbaycruiser 83]

Greetings, oh sage and wise WH thrashers.

Time for yet another question to confirm my general lack of mechanical knowledge!

You may recall last fall I brought home a 1988 312-8 as a project. I got it torn down to the frame, then, as often seems to happen, life took a few crazy turns, winter showed up with a fury, and all work stopped.

Anyway, I've started working on her again, and I want to clean up and paint the tranny, but before I do, I want to remove the hubs and the drive pulley. I've loosened screws and tapped on things, but no apparent movement. I haven't been very aggressive, as I don't want to damage anything.

Can I potentially mess something up if I add a bit more force or muscle? Any tricks or tips.

Also, is it safe to sandblast if I cover the axles?

Thanks,

Chris.

[JimD 3,345]

You might damage it if you use too much force. I WOULD SOAK THEM WITH pb blaster and get a puller to take them off. Others may have some better ideas.

[sorekiwi 761]

There is a ton of threads here on removing stuck hubs. It is probably the least favorite task of anyone here.

Dont beat on the hub! The cast iron breaks easier than you think, or even worse the circlip on the inner end can come off and you are left with a hub, complete with axle still attached, in your hand.

[Coadster32 793]

Soaking it as stated, and torch heat are the most common and effective methods used. Hitch pin isn't that easy either. Good luck. B)

[chesbaycruiser 83]

Thanks for the replies. I had figured there must be existing threads about this, but when I searched I came up dry. After the replies, I tried more search terms and did finally find a few. Been doing the PB Blaster for some time...will continue.

Already fought the hitchpin battle.... ......took a pneumatic cut-off tool to win that little war! Steering wheel has thrown down the gauntlet, but I have yet to engage!

Same story for the drive pulley I assume....use PBB and/or heat and/or a puller?

Thanks,

Chris

[Duff 206]

Like the boys said, soaking and heat alternately. DO use a puller and even then be a bit gentle. They'll come off, but chances are you'll have said a few choice words before they do!

Duff B)

[rickv1957 73]

You for sure dont want to hurry on a hub removel,Rick

[Raider12 13]

Several years ago I learned the hard way and tried to tap it off with a hammer. I ended up with the axle and hub in my hand and mad You have to tear the transmission all apart to put it back together. I made a custom hub puller to do this job and it wroks perfect. You can buy a cheap puller at Harbor Frieght to do this job as well. Here is my puller.

Good luck my friend

Denver

[dobeleo 7]

I soaked my hubs with PB Blaster, then got a puller and heated the hubs with MAP gas, it took me at least 20 minutes to remove each hub, heating the hub, tighten the puller, tap it a little, take your time, it will come off!

Dan

[chesbaycruiser 83]

Very frustrating....my harmonic balance puller (similar to this one) is a juuuusst too small.

Regarding the Drive pulley....do most folks use a three-armed gear-puller? ( (similar to this)

Think at this point, I'm not going to mess with the hubs....I'll just paint it with them attached, but I would like to get that drive pulley off though.

[chesbaycruiser 83]

Pulley off...hubs ignored...Thanks!!!

B)

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

Glad you got the pulley off. B)

[Coadster32 793]

Steering wheel has thrown down the gauntlet, but I have yet to engage!

Alot of people cut the steering shaft just below the wheel, and then use a press to press out the shaft. Obviosly, a new shaft must be made (or some type of adapter)

[Duff 206]

Steering wheel has thrown down the gauntlet, but I have yet to engage!

Alot of people cut the steering shaft just below the wheel, and then use a press to press out the shaft. Obviosly, a new shaft must be made (or some type of adapter)

Sadly, but perhaps fortunately, enough 300-series are being parted out all over the place that steering shafts are in fairly plentiful supply. The wheels can get a little pricey, though, so I'd give some serious consideration to Coadster's advice - cut the shaft and get someone to press the wheel off with the right equipment.

Duff B)