Mid-day check in from the parents place. Russ, I hope you're having a good day! Somehow I feel like I abandoned you......much like an ungrateful spouse looking for a divorce. Hahaha
Are you leaving today or extending your stay?

 

I knew this job was going to be slow and not without its challenges.
First thing is threads on the tool and nut don't move smoothly (and that's an understatement), I don't have a die large enough to chase them and this is critical to the operation. Next, the lip on the expander is too wide to engage between the axle spacer and the bearing. I made a gasket to go between the tool and wheel because I knew it was going to leave marks, it helped some, I have made a second that is a little thicker.


Bolted my chalk to the bench for a jig



First gasket between tool and wheel



Expander lip is inside sleeve



Zoom in you should see the tool marks

 

Chuck, rub some motor oil or similar on the threads of the tools. WD-40 isn't heavy enough.

 

I used atf at first but before I started I slathered it up with anti seize.

 

Chuck, as Greg said, try some heavier oil ... AND DO you have a "thread file"? it will clean up the threads quite nicely. The local auto parts store may have one and they are simple to use. Is the tool you are using a rental? They are usually beat up real bad from previous users. :>(




Thread File

 

Well the easy part is done, both front wheel bearings are out !

 

Some success is better than no success

 

I bought the Pit Posse tool. I don't have a thread file but I should get one. One can never have too many tools! Now that I've torqued on the tool twice the threads are getting more free.

 

That's what I say when I get to sneak a peek at the wife getting out of the shower

 

My Pit Posse was pretty stiff to turn the first time I used it, without lube. After that, I grease the threads and washers so there's no dry metal to metal, makes a big difference.

Maybe I missed something, why did you hook into the spacer?

That's a neat idea, chock on the bench for a wheel holder. I've been putting mine on the tire changer to hold them, works decent.