Front Axle Stub shaft bearings

[8cylRWD]

I am working on a 94 Ranger 4 x 4, 4.o/Auto with automatic hubs. (Yes, the flimsey factory hubs). Ate the RF wheel bearings (burnt up with grease, but don"t look at me - I didn't grease it!) anyway, is the stub shaft bearing sealed or open? I'm sure some damage material got down between the spline shaft and the spindle tube, but really don't want to tear it down to the stub shaft if it's a sealed brg. Putt the nuts off the spindle tube casting but didn't move, looks like a couple small metric screw holes are there for pusher screws.

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

On the spindle, it's just a needle bearing assembly and a seal. They're separate pieces. Pretty straight forward to change.

 

[8cylRWD]

What's the trick to removing the hub from the knuckle? I tookout off the nuts, smacked the spindle t casting with a shot filled hammer, didn't move. See a couple holes, 1/4" bolt won't fit in them. Metric holes for puller bolts?
Thanks

 

[snoopdoggie]

I know there is a puller made for it that threads onto the spindle where the bearing nuts go.

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

Get a 2x4, and a BFH. Hammer on the spindle after taking off the 5 nuts that secure it to the knuckle. Be sure to put the 2x4 in between the BFH and the spindle. It's best if you have a helper to hold the 2x4.

While hammering on the spindle in one direction, if you notice it starting to separate from the knuckle, put a small pry bar or flat-head screwdriver in the gap, and then hit the spindle from the opposite side. Keep doing this until the spindle is free.

If you have a spare set of spindle nuts, you can always put them on, and hammer directly on them. Just have to be sure that you don't hit any part of the threads

 

[Bent Bolt]

+1 . Just have a few chucks of 2x4 handy. If the spindle is really stuck, the wood will get destroyed.