Stubborn Rear Hub Flange Question

[72MetallicMalaga]

I had to remove both rear hub flanges to install some extended studs.

 

The left side was a breeze to get back on, just slid right back on the axle, but the right wouldn't budge. I used a socket to hammer it a bit until some of the axle threads appeared, and then just used the castle nut to finish it up, torqueing it to about 310lb ft.

 

Is there a better method to getting on stubborn flanges back on? The service manual doesn't really show the reverse installation procedure, i'm assuming because they're just supposed to slide back on easily...

Also, the hammering was OK right? The flange doesn't preload the bearings in the back, the shims do, right? Guess i'll know if I see that rear wheel going past me.

Edited April 5 by 72MetallicMalaga

[uai]

Just put it in the oven at 130°C that'll help

Edited April 5 by uai

[TobyB]

Two really big c-clamps can squeeze it back together.

For later cars, where there's no flange to whallop,

I've made a sleeve that grabs the threads of the stub axle and 

adapts to a slide hammer.

 

And yes- the inner and outer races should be the same distance apart,

and the inner races clamp against the sleeve.

 

It's been a problem from day one- the hubs seem to be +-0.01mm, 

and they can be really tight, or just fine. E21's, E30s, E36s and E46s are the same way.

Heating does work- you just have to HUSTLE once the thing's warm, as

it heats that stub up pretty quickly.

 

t

 

[Son of Marty]

I'd be more worried about the hub that slid right on.

[paulyg]

+1 for heating the hub. That being said, it should tap (maybe whack) on once it’s even a little bit started. 

[uai]

There are two different tolerance fields from the factory. It's measured with 3mm rollers or balls in the spline of the shaft
1 Yellow Dot=30,785-30,794
2 Yellow Dots=30,767-30,785

Try switching the flanges perhaps that helps
The corresponding flanges are also marked with one or two yellow dots

Edited April 6 by uai

[jimk]

If it's that difficult to get on, it begs the question of how hard was it to remove initially?  That surely was noticed.