I am about ready to replace both rear hub bearings. Looks like I need a torch, was actually concerned that I would need some kind of specialty tool but, sounds like I have just about everything but, the G clamp

 

After getting the brakes and rotor off, which will be an epic experience if you live in rust belt, you will see the axle nut which is crimped against the detent on the splined shaft.

You need to un-deform the crimped nut. You will need a high performance impact gun that can do about 500lbs reverse torque to undo the nut. After that every thing is pretty straight forward.

I tried 3 breaker bars with life time warranty and they broke and I tried to use hydraulic jack to rotate the bar and it just wouldn't turn that nut.

You need that multiple impact in bursts to loosen that nut. Simple torque won't do it.

Rest is as shown in the FSM.

 

Thanks for the feed back. I was thinking I could break it with brute force.

Also...the 'O' ring, is that the bearing retainer hub or an actual rubber 'O' Ring?? I can't figure that out from the exploded view.

 

IIRC the O ring goes between the housing and the bearing assembly. Gotta be careful so that you don't pinch/seat it wrong.

 

Got it, found them on Atlantic British

 

"Tricky dickey" strikes again I see

 

Hi Brian, I found the rotary brass wire brushes after I had finished the job by a couple of days, they were in the box marked 'Rotary Wire Brushes' but I never looked there duh!

 

You can get it undone with brute force, but its not easy. I end up using a breaker bar and my hi-lift jack every time. Harbor freight has a hi lift for around $55. I got mine from amazon for about the same price. Smittybuilt I think.

 

I have used a standard 1/2" electric impact gun on mine to remove the nut with no issues. For reinstallation, I used a craftsman breaker bar with a cheater pipe and stood on the breaker bar about where my weight would equal the torque value.

For pulling the hubs, I once used a small sledge on the back of the hub, but the rest of the time used a gear puller, which worked like a champ.

I have also had to use a light coating of RTV on an o-ring to get it to seal. I just smeared it on with my finger.

 

I would take some precaution and make sure your body parts are away from flying objects if something breaks and releases the tons literally tons of stored energy.

I broke 3 breaker bars on that nut with hydraulic 3 ton jack. It is pretty scary how that bar bends to store energy. I was about 6 feet away on my belly with 3/4inch plywood shielding my head as I was lifting that breaker bar with the jack.