Wheel bearing retention ring is frozen

Drill a 3/16 hole through the side of it aligned w/ the snap ring groove and drive it out w/ 1/8” roll punch....

 

Or go grab a Mapp gas bottle and torch head and heat the living snot out

 

Ok. So I got about 1/4 of it & then it broke off at a notch Wailed on it with the punch & no go. Started to get up to go bury my head in ice cream & noticed the ring had moved around the groove. I don’t wanna screw this up, so what now? There are no notches under the ends. I mean obviously where I was wailing is all flattened. & I was not able to get a good start on the other end.

 

Heres what you do. Looking down at the hub, take your grinder and grind a slot in the side so you can drive it out, meaning, grind the side until you are into the snap ring. Just one or two slots; don’t go crazy on it

 

So do you mean put a slot in the ends/beginnings? (Where the ears were?)

 

Ok. You mean make a slot in the hub itself. Not quite following.... ok. Now I see what you’re getting at.

 

I had the same problem with the ears breaking off of the retention ring, I was in a hurry and decided to cut into spindle with an angle grinder at the center of the ring, after the cut all it took was some persuasion and the two pieces fell out, didn't seem to affect the integrity of the spindle at all and haven't had any issues

 

Good to know for whenever I may have to do the left side. I would'a thought cutting the hub would'a been a big no, however you're the second person to bring it up here as an option. Thank you. & welcome aboard

 

Dam, Kristi with a K, every time you turn around you run into a problem. Your a dedicated die hard 1st gen owner who refuses to be beaten by any problem that comes along. you should be on a poster for "Women Learning Vehicle Maintenance".

Never Give Up, Never Surrender!!!

 

Ring is out. I decided not to cut into the knuckle. Turns out I did myself a favor by cutting out a piece of the race directly behind one of the ears. That way I could grab the ring with the locking crescent. But first I used a handy diamond bit & cleaned up the mushroomed areas, getting right into the groove. Then I worked it with the wrench. Got most of it last night & then this aft wailed on it to move it around to the area where the race was cut & pulled it out. I also made straight cuts in the ring about every 1 1/2, but not to the housing in hopes that the ring wouldn’t snap off there. Worked pretty well.
So now I have the bearing out. I noticed a strong smell like gear oil. Is that usual? & any ideas on how to press the hub in without a sleeve to brace the bearing? If not i’ll run to o’reiley’s & see about something from the loaner ball joint kit to use as a sleeve.

 

Use caution when pressing the new bearings.

Support the race that is being pressed. Example: Pressing a shaft into the bearing inner race or pressing a bearing inner race onto a shaft. Support the inner race. You don't want the press forces transferring through the balls. This can damage either the balls, the race or the ball cage.

Glad you got that stubborn ring out. Remember to use a dab of grease smeared on the ring and in the groove. This will help battle rust and potentially make the next removal easy.

Gear oil always stinks. Wear rubber gloves or use orange based hand cleaner. Even then the smell can linger on your hands.

 

Good job Kristi! I knew you could get that tupid thing out.

 

So lemme try asking this here. I posted it as a new question last week & got no response.

Story time first -

I replaced the front axles about 6 mos ago when I did the ecgs?. About two weeks ago I noticed a clicking inboard. Reminded me of something in the spokes on a bicycle. I could feel it when I put my hand one the boot. I replaced it & the click was gone. About a week ago I finally came to the conclusion I needed to do the bearing & whilst finalizing this, truck jacked up, the axle was clicking again. Everything feels solid & gear oil was freely flowing when I re-replaced it. I thought maybe the bad bearing was doing the axles in. I decided to pick up another replacement & it sits here in box.

The employees at the parts store I picked it up from are also mechanics. The guy told me that it is normal for axles to click inboard when jacked up by the middle of the front frame, aka, axles hanging down. Thing is, I don't recall hearing this with my other original axles, nor does it do it on the driver's side. I am just unsure as to whether I need to re-re-replace it cuz if I do, now would be the optimal time. Any opinions? Hindsight maybe I should have tried & rebuilt the originals. Course I am not sure how long that would have taken & this is my main (only) ride. Anyway, done is done & I might as well ride out these bought & paid for others. Then in my "free time" I can think about doing something with the originals.

 

Your my Heroine!! Glad you were successful !!

 

Yeah, the mechanics over there are correct. They do all types of funky things especially when the knuckle is off. The one in there is fine. If not, I will help you replace it.

 

This does it when it is installed. Shaft in hub, wheel on.
Just wanted to clarify cuz as much as I don’t mind becoming an expert front ‘01 Tacoma axle installer, i’d at least rather do it yet again, while all is disassembled.

 

I remember mine clicking when I replaced the coilovers during the summer. If it’s new and you didn’t have a gorilla prying on it with a wrecking bar, it should be fine.

 

I'm late but

 

Just nice I'm sure you were so frustrated but did you happen to rake pics? This would be assume.

 

Yes, Kristi, you did an awesome job. Big snap rings can be a real bugger.

I assume the axle is new and is making the noise. To me, that doesn't seem quite normal....even if lifted off the ground.