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OK, longtime no speak....
I busted my steering knuckle and I am in the middle of the replacement process. And now I am stuck. I can't figure out how to remove the front hub from the knuckle. I the service manual that step is somehow omitted (or I can't find it).
Suggestions? Do I need to go out and buy some weird tool?
And yes, I searched the site last night and could not find any answer.
press it in.
Ah leave it to the rabbit to state the obvious! OK my car is still stuck on the side of the road. I have made some progress it getting the knuckle out. It's separating the knuckle from the hub.
I found some instructions that seem very close to the service manual (Thanks Rabbit!)
| Repair Guides | Front Suspension | Wheel Bearings | AutoZone.com
I bought this:
Kent-Moore J-37105-1 Front Hub Service Set for AVEO | eBay
So I guess my only other choice is to go to a shop and see if they have the press that can do the work. I was hoping for some home grown solution.
you could buy a complete low mileage steering knuckle off ebay for @ $50.
Recap and Lessons Learned!
OK I learned a lot from this experience. The above advise getting used knuckle and spindle is well worth it.
Money Spent (approx)
New Knuckle 130
New Bearings 60
Tools 80
--------------------------
270
Additional Money Lost 130 bucks (more on this later)
So from an economic stand point Rabbits solution of a used part of ebay is well worth it.
Here are my own lessons:
1) Keep an Emergency Car service on tap (such as AAA) for towing
2) Never leave your car on the side of the road
3) If you insist on doing your own work, buy a hydrolic shop press. NOT KIDDING on this one
4) Know your local football schedule
5) Not only have a breaker bar but the cheater pipe extension as well.
The back story: I had forgotten to look up the football schedule regarding Clemson Games and I was stuck in traffic with a full load of starbucks coffee. So eventually I got free and went way north around clemson to get back to my home town. Now I had been in the car for two hours and really needed to piss. So pulled over to side and did not see the ditch with tall weeds. So I got stuck. I guy very helpfully pulls me out. The only way I have to get the tow onto my car is to wrap the A-Frame on the front drivers side. So far this works except I had manage to go around the steering link and the tow fell and pulled onto the steering arm breaking it. Well Screw ME ! (it's my fault) :o This is on a Saturday.
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...8-11-23-33-jpg
I got a ride home and ordered the part. And went back Tuesday to pull the offending part off the car. I ended up working late with a side trip to get a 32 mm socket for the hub. What a bitch to get that off. I sear I was pulling well over 200 pounds on my torque wrench. Note I left pissed off and tired.
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...3-07-29-12-jpg
As you can see on the side where the part broke. In the center is the spindle for which I needed help. After my own feeble attempts with my press and hammers, I gave up. I took it to work and the guys pressed out the spindle using the hydrolic press. Well they managed to damage the existing bearings and I could not salvage those. The snap ring was a bitch too. I eventually got it out and gave up on the bearings. I ordered new bearings from Advance and got the 60 dollar bearings (they wanted 120 at Chevy).
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...5-08-26-59-jpg
I started pressing the bearing in using a combination of parts from a C-Press and a half inch threaded rod. Well as it turns out the machining is so fine this was not strong enough to press the bearing into the bore. I ended up whacking it in with a hammer. Again go buy the hydrolic press. It's well worth it.
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...5-09-06-18-jpg
Well my bearing press worked much better for the spindle. It went in easy breezy.
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...5-10-25-53-jpg
Finally back at the car getting the new assembly back onto the car. The job went fairly easy.
http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...5-11-00-31-jpg
I was done in about 30 minutes. Everything lined up correctly and the originally alignment was preserved.
On to the other lost money. Again this is my fault for leaving the car exposed too long and I forgot the look the door. Some ducking basturd stole my stereo.
Attachment 5781
Bummer! Ironically, they did not boost my fancy wheels nor my GPS. They were professional in pulling the parts and left even one of the screws.
I took a look online and found these cheap(ish) presses online
HYDROLIC PRESS from Northern Tool + Equipment
Shop Presses
If you are doing anything with bearings this is the only way to go. Of course all the professional mechanics will tell you this.
damn......