Wheel hub broken off

Tiny
IDIOT GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I'm replacing a wheel bearing so the hub on the truck listed above and the hub broke off. The bearing was worn out someone drove this vehicle while the bearing was going out and the center of the wheel bearing and hub just came out leaving the triangle part that is all that is there. It's fused to the knuckle. Any ideas of how I could get that off? I have beat on it but it will not come separated at all and all that's left for me to remove in order to put the new wheel hub on is that triangle back piece that goes on to the knuckle.
Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 10:27 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

Can you upload some pictures of the hub so I can see what you are dealing with?

Did you remove the 3 attaching bolts from the rear side?

Roy

Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement

Removal Procedure

Notice: Never place vehicle on the ground with the halfshaft removed or the halfshaft nut torqued improperly. Otherwise, bearing seals may become dislodged causing premature wear and/or damage to the hub and bearing assembly.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel.
3. Remove the rotor.
4. Remove the wheel speed sensor and brake hose mounting bracket bolt from the steering knuckle.

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5. Remove the wheel hub and bearing (4) 15-series mounting bolts.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

6. Remove the wheel hub and bearing mounting bolts (4), the 25/35 series.
7. Remove the wheel hub and bearing and splash shield from the vehicle.
8. Remove the O-ring seal from the steering knuckle bore, the 25/35 series.
9. Remove the wheel speed sensor mounting bolt (5).
10. Clean and inspect the O-ring seal, the 25/35 series.
11. Replace the seal if the following conditions exist:
Nicks
Cuts
Dry or brittle
Compression set
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 AT 4:51 AM
Tiny
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Yes, I removed the three bolts I will upload pictures later today. The bearing and hub has all come off leaving nothing but the triangle piece on the back of the hub left on the knuckle. The bearing was so bad just the center of the house b and the lug nut studs came off of the piece.
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 AT 6:23 AM
Tiny
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Okay, please post the pictures when you can. I need to see what you see and I can give you some recommendations on how to get the rest of the hub bearing out.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
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The bearing is out from the image on what you posted there the part 6 piece the shield is stuck on it.
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 AT 6:30 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, that is why I need to see some pictures.

Once we have them we can determine how to handle it.

Roy
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 AT 6:35 AM
Tiny
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Here are the pictures of it:
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Wow, my first reaction is to replace the hub. All that calcification makes it very hard to come out.

You can try using a good air hammer with a sharp chisel end and drive it between the hub and the bearing where it separates.

Roy
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
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Yeah, I'm replacing the whole hub bearings and all. I just have no clue how to get that other triangle piece out from the knuckle.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
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In order for me to put the new hub I have on I have to get the triangle part and that shield off to put the new hub on. I was just showing the old hub so you can see how it broke and not all of it came out from the knuckle.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No, the hub is the piece the hub bearing mounts on. It is the entire piece in the picture. The small piece you are trying to get out is the remains of the hub bearing.

Do you have an air hammer for this operation? If not you will need to get one whether electric or air operated.

Roy
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
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No don't have just some regular chisels.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:38 PM
Tiny
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I know that. I have done dozens and dozens of these. You need to do what I suggested if you want to get the piece out.

Roy
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
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They will not work as they are not heavy enough. You need more power. The air powered hammer works the best.

Roy
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM

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