Hi Everyone,

My first post here... This all started because the splash guard for the front left brakes rusted off. I am trying to replace it. The 3 screws that held the old one on are rusted and I cannot get a screwdriver on them anyway because they are behind the hub. I cannot find any way to remove them without removing the hub. So I removed the axle nut, after much effort, and am now trying to remove the hub. All I can figure from reading posts online is that I need to press it off. Seems some people are recommending totally removing the whole unit from the car, and then (I guess) using a press. I was considering using a gear puller, but the last I read was that it won't work because the bearings are what I am pressing loose, and the gear puller won't handle it. I cannot believe that I need to remove/replace the wheel bearings to replace this splash pan. Can anyone confirm the correct procedure? I guess I could go buy a Haynes manual, or go to the library, but maybe this post will do someone else good as well.

I am ready to do anything but remove the hub. Maybe grind flat the sides of the screw heads and heat them and wish them loose with a vise grip.

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Jerry

 

Well, I guess I didn't really need any help...

I went out and squirted PB Blaster on the screws, heated them with the torch/tapped them with wrench for two cycles, then a strong clamp with the vise grips... wiggle wiggle, came loose, unscrewed with fingers.

unbelievable what penetrating oil and heat can do. So I finished the job after dinner instead of before.

Jm

oh, yeah, PS: The new part is a full circle of metal, not the crescent shape of the rusted one that fell off. Yes, the hole is smaller than the wheel hub. Yes, I used tin snips to cut it and slip it around the hub. Yes, everything is just fine now.