Replacing noisy front right wheel bearing on my 2005 Cooper S Cabrio. No problem removing the 4 bolts that hold wheel hub to knuckle and hub separated from knuckle easily. But I can't get the hub off the axle. Seems frozen to the splines. Broke my cheap 3 jaw HF puller. Rented a better puller (rated 4 tons) and that broke too. Soaked it for days with PB blaster but it really doesn't want to budge. Advice appreciated.

 

If I was you I would try heat. That has always worked for me. Be careful though.

 

You need an air hammer with a pointed tip. Put it right in the center and hammer until it breaks free.

 

Mine was stuck so bad I had to remove the entire axle and steering knuckle as one piece and put it in a hydraulic shop press. Man,that bugger was stuck in there good.

 

Had to use a wheel puller on the last one I pulled to get the axel freed up, then a 3lb ball peen hammer to knock it loose. All after dousing it with PB Blaster, and letting it sit for a few hours.

 

Epilogue: Had to heat wheel hub with a torch and use a 10 ton hydraulic puller (from Harbor Freight) to get it off. Destroyed speed sensor in the process. Also had to clean the axle spline grooves with a file to get new hub on, Job was a bit of a PITA. Nice and quiet now though.

 

I can get NEW Detroit axle front and rear rotors really cheap. $25 each. Are their rotors crap or decent or actually pretty good?