Integra Type-R Discussion - Discuss general ITR information, technical information (including requests for technical/mechanical help/assistance), modifications, tuning, etc.
Long story short, I broke an axle at the track so I decided to change them both out on my ITR. We all know axle jobs are designed to be nearly a 15 minute job provided you have the correct tools. Well, that wasnt the case here, BOTH axles FROZE in their hubs. They froze SO BADLY, PB blaster wouldnt do the trick even letting it sit for a few minutes. I wacked and wacked and wacked, it didnt come out. My little air hammer STILL didnt do it.
So, I had to pull the entire knuckle off along with the axles. Brought it to my friend and he let it sit in some PB blaster type stuff for 3 days. After it sat for a few days, we BARELY got it to move with a dead blow hammer and Snapon air hammer. We ended up mushrooming the axle so bad that we had to grind off the edges.
Here are some pictures of the carnage and of "BROKE AND BROKER" lol.
Try a torch next time. Not to cut them but to heat them (be careful not to over heat like warping spindle bearings), Heat expands the metal and makes it softer, w/ the PB Blaster it will help soften the rust and oxidation. Good practice after removal is to clean the hub splined area w/ a wire brush then lightley apply some antiseize prior to installing the new axle.
importrepairguy wrote:Try a torch next time. Not to cut them but to heat them (be careful not to over heat like warping spindle bearings), Heat expands the metal and makes it softer, w/ the PB Blaster it will help soften the rust and oxidation. Good practice after removal is to clean the hub splined area w/ a wire brush then lightley apply some antiseize prior to installing the new axle.
Mine popped right out yesterday with a gentle tug.. and I'm pretty rough on them. Of course, I'm still on OEM axles, and this is probably only the 2nd time I've had to take off the front knuckle/hub (both times for bearings).
I'll antiseize them just in case. That's really weird that they would bind like that.
you can't just beat on the axle directly like that brother..you have to get yourself a nice sized center punch that locates on the center 'dimple' of the axle and a bigger hammer...I know it sounds crude, but beating on it with something that has very little mass will not do it..I use about a 10lb sledge hammer on seized axles, the added mass allows you to not have to repeatedly beat on it, usually one, or two 'pops' will do the job, I can always get the job done with no damage done to the part.
I don't use heat on seized axles because ultimately you are going to damage the hub bearing with all that heat..it burns the grease inside, so failure of that component will be eminent.
Of course, I'm still on OEM axles, and this is probably only the 2nd time I've had to take off the front knuckle/hub (both times for bearings).
