willysmjeeps.com

I've read the manuals.....searched the archives.....even done some on tractors.....but I have got to admit.......getting the drive flange off the rear axle on a jeep has got to be the most stubborn thing I've ever seen. But in all fairness I really haven't tried yet with the proper hub puller so maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment. Let's just say I've tried it with all the wrong equipment and its what I'd call pert near impossible....but what else is a guy supposed to do while waiting on delivery of the right equipment? On a tractor you just loosen the axle nut and drive around in circles stomping on the brake......it will eventually pop loose and come right off. Wonder if that would work on a jeep? Anybody ever tried it?

Man, they are a real $#%&@. I feel for ya. I had one that practically came off in my hands and another that was super stubborn.

My neighbour had a huge slide hammer we used, worked great.

And then there is the force of nature that when you apply the proper tool it explodes coming off making you think some GI left a grenade inside. Don't stand directly in front if you are having to really crank on the tool. Just ask me.

Mike

I had the same mentality. Gotta be a way. Not on this one. Gotta have it. The one from JC Whitney worked well for me. It is worth having this tool for the ease of working on the rear versus the pain and damage the shortcuts could (and probably will) cause.

Yeah.....its like Oreo said......there's always that off chance that the hub is going to just come right off with very little effort.....and if you don't try you won't know. But its the goll darn stubborness that always gets me. Its not until I've hit my hand a few times with the hammer or skinned up a knuckle or two that I finally sit back and ask what the heck am I trying to prove? Its either stubborness or stupidity......or some of both. And its not like I've even pushed this to the limit.......I stopped way short of getting me five 1/2 x 20 LH and RH couplers, some all-thread, a steel plate, and a hydralic jack and build me a reverse hydraulic press. Oh no.....I'd rather smack my hand with the hammer, cuss, and kick things then exercise my right to be smart..... or patient! The hand gernade comment did start me to thinking though........or just shaped charges in general........hehehe.......there must be a way........never mind. I think I'll just go wire wheel something until my glorified and dietized heavy duty hub puller arrives......or I gues I could go start to work on its shrine....hehehe...

Jim,

Did you ever get that hub off? we have all probably tried for a while before finally getting the right tool on the right day and having everything work like its suppossed to.
Here is a quick writeup showing that you are not alone:
http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/Tech/BrakeDrums.html

Here is the tool I bought after fooling with the wrong tools for a couple of days. This thing got the hub off within a couple of minutes.
http://www.public.asu.edu/%7Egrover/willys/puller.html

Tom

Tom...thanks for the info. That's exactly the puller that is supposed to arrive today by UPS......and I am glad to read that at least somebody else tried the hydralic jack trick and leaving the axle nut loose and going for a short ride. We've used both methods on tractor axles.....but this being my first jeep.....and given the relative cost differences between jeep parts and tractor parts......I really didn't want to screw anything up. So I'll just keep sitting here staring down the driveway (wondering if that darn UPS driver isn't just messing with me and left my puller down by the gate!) I hate to appear anxious and I know as soon as I get in my truck to go down there and look he's going to run me off the road......so......jeeeez.....can he drive any slower? Thanks for the info......tonights the night!

Success!!! Both hubs are off. No damage to the flanges or axles......or me!!!! Definitely a case of having the right tool for the right job.......and a really big hammer Thanks everybody for all the moral support.