engine and drivetrain Rear Stub Axle flange - problem

[Eimis Savickas]

Hello once again!

 

So finally, with some help reading up here on how to remove rear hub and replace studs I was able to do one side.

Now, when doing the other side of the rear hub, I think i forced the puller too much and noticed it bent the side of the hub where

the puller was grabbing onto it...

 

How bad I got my self into trouble?

Can I somehow reuse this hub or it will have to be replaced? If so, any suggestions where to get one?

 

 

Thanks!

[skipsfcr]

Are you saying that you actually bent the flange the wheel studs press into? If so, you must have been using an incredible amount of force on the puller. If you can, please post a photo of the damage so we can better understand the situation.

[Eimis Savickas]

Yes...

 

 

[M3M3]

Time for a new one. 

 

That was way too much force! 

[skipsfcr]

Wow! I'm glad the puller didn't slip off...it had to be under tremendous pressure. You're going to need to replace the drive flange. Surely a friendly FAQ'er has one to spare. 

[Eimis Savickas]

Thanks again guys!

 

Just posted in - Parts Wanted...

 

Didn't know I had that much power in me  

[Zorac]

wow!  i remember really reefing on mine with no issue.  glad you got it off without wreaking anything else or resorting to cutting it off!

[roundelmike]

To continue this thread, I've got the same trouble as the original poster -- a bent rear hub flange -- and I did it the same way by overcranking a three-jaw puller. It now looks similar to the photo posted above. The plot twist is that I still haven't managed to remove the flange. It's all kinds of stuck. I saw the tension, freaked out, and immediately backed off the pressure.

 

How far am I up this creek without a paddle? I have no idea how to proceed short of towing the poor car to a mechanic. Any help is most appreciated.

 

(I was trying to replace my rear hub bearings, not that it was urgent, but mainly I wanted to learn how. Of course now I wish I'd just left well enough alone.)

[Eimis Savickas]

Hey bud,

 

I had my friend heat it up with the blow torch the same time while im putting more tension on the jaw puller. It kind of popped right off. Before that, i was heating and pulling afterwards, thats when i actually bent it.

[roundelmike]

3 hours ago, Eimis Savickas said:

I had my friend heat it up with the blow torch the same time while im putting more tension on the jaw puller. It kind of popped right off.

 

Many thanks. That did it for one side -- it finally let go with a terrific *BANG* while I was heating it. The other side is being a little more tenacious and over 15 minutes of heating didn't convince it to give way. In the meantime I guess I'll place an order for a new flange from BMW ...

[Eimis Savickas]

23 hours ago, roundelmike said:

 

Many thanks. That did it for one side -- it finally let go with a terrific *BANG* while I was heating it. The other side is being a little more tenacious and over 15 minutes of heating didn't convince it to give way. In the meantime I guess I'll place an order for a new flange from BMW ...

 

haha, yeah forgot to warn you, mine had that terrific bang as well, almost shit my pants actually...  

[roundelmike]

Welp ...

 

To follow up on my stuck axle flange, I've finally removed it after three days. The first two days involved heating the flange, lovingly tightening the puller, tapping on the axle, and doing it all over again. Over and over and over and over ...  But, no. It wasn't happening.

 

On the third day, I accepted my credo, "if at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer." So I gave in to the whisperings of my 7lb demolition sledge, which had been tempting me from the corner of the garage, just snickering at me. Snickering for days. Finally I heated the axle one last time and swung that evil beast in anger at the axle and, TA-DA, it moved! After a few swings I was able to tap it the rest of the way out with a punch. No puller required. It was a rusty disaster in there.

 

Yes, yes, the stub axle is mushroomed and all messed up. And the flange is, of course, bent. But I've already ordered replacements from BMW ($$$) and I'm feeling pretty good. Hopefully nothing else is screwed up, like, you know, the control arm. 

 

 

[72ITB]

Just started on one side of mine, out of the car on the bench.  I was thinking I might be the exception that didn't need heat. Not the case. I am using a 5 ton 3 jaw puller but not a budge.  I didn't go too crazy on it but enough I think that if it were going to come off it would have.  As for heat can I get away with MAP gas? Should I go to a larger puller?  Or bring them to a shop to get pressed?   I'd rather not damage the hub or axle. 

 

Mike glad you succeeded!

[roundelmike]

1 hour ago, 72ITB said:

As for heat can I get away with MAP gas? Should I go to a larger puller?  Or bring them to a shop to get pressed?   I'd rather not damage the hub or axle. Mike glad you succeeded!

 

For gas, I was using a MAP-PRO propane cylinder with a Bernzomatic torch with no trouble. Previously I was using regular propane and it didn't seem to get as hot or heat up as quickly. I'd say you're good to use the hotter stuff. It gets hot but not glowing.

 

Before the sledge hammer I was thinking of finding someone with an acetylene torch or taking the whole arm down to a friend's shop at his work where they have some giant industrial presses. Please keep us posted with your progress and what you did to complete the job. 

[72ITB]

Anyone use a hydraulic puller for this job?