Replacing rear hub AND removing CV axle?

[Jonathan Anderson]

2003 Ford Explorer AWD, Limited, 4.6L V8…

History:
The explorer started making a siren noise. I found an official Ford Service Bulletin stating that the noise was due to a failing rear hub bearing. So I purchased the hub/bearing/clip kit from Timken and started tearing the thing apart.

The driver side (ds) rear hub is a monster! I have a 3 legged puller on it, I’m using a 26″ breaker bar and another 4′ steal pole as leverage, I’ve used PB Blaster (penetrating oil) on it, and I’ve been heating the crap out of it (propane MAP gas), and I’ve been slamming it with a hammer, and IT STILL isn’t budging.

I’m stuck!

I’m to the point of pulling the half shaft out (with original hub assemble attached), and take it down to the local machine shop – YIKES – I know they will LOVE me as a customer :woohoo:

BUT – the half shaft rubber boot is attached (crimped steal strap) to the differential and I don’t have the tool to take that off (this is really pissing me off – the frustration)….

I have 3 choices 1) throw a gob of money into new tools, 2) reap everything out and just replace everything (get a used knuckle from the junk yard) with new, or 3) sit in front of it and stair at it wondering what to do… :blink:

Thoughts? (like torch it?)

Topic

[Mathieu]

I don’t know why the steal strap is still attach to the differential when this strap is holding the rubber boot in the axle. Anyway, axle rubber boot use quicker then the axle bearing. So you might buy tool for that. Torch the differential to pull this steal strap is a bad Idea. It’s better to use a plasma cutter then a torch don’t forget to pull the negative wire on the battery to avoid electrical damage.

[Author]

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