So today I attempted to replace my front wheel hub bearings in my truck, everything went great until it came time to take the old bearing out. The bolts were all removed and the abs harness disconnected but I could not get the bearing itself to move. I have been told to either buy a slide hammer or a gear pulling mechanism. Which one of these would work better? Does anyone have any useful suggestions on removing the thing? What would be the best tool/method to do this?

 

I used a tri-tool (pulley remover) to get mine off and it worked like a charm.

 

Yeah, thats what I mean by gear pulling mechanism, the pully remover, but ive been told that the slide hammer works much better. I feel like the tri-tool would not be strong enough to get that bearing off. Mine is locked on pretty good. Did yours hook up to your standard rachet? And did you simply use the ratchet to remove the bearing?

 

Also, how badly was your corroded on there?

 

I don't drive on salted roads so it wasn't too bad. Also, I used an impact to remove it. I've never used a slide hammer so I can't tell you if it works better or not.

 

cheap and always worked for me, make sure to give the axle a couple of good wraps with a hammer and punch first. Theres a dimple/divet there so you don't smash the treads

 

Don't use a puller that exerts pressure on the dimple in the end of the CV axle. On the driver side, the pressure will be transfered through the axle and can damage the differential. On the passenger side it can damage the 4X4 axle clutch, and the differential. As mentioned, make sure the splined axle moves freely in the hub, then use a slide hammer. Make sure you put some anti seize on the splines during reassembly. That will help the next guy out.... the next guy might be you

 

I did not know that. Thank you!

 

What dimple do you speak of?

 

So slide hammer is safer than the tri tool?